Technical Paper 3:
Preventing Alcohol-related harm in Australia: a window of opportunity
5.5 - Priorities
Table of contents
The intent of this paper has been to provide background information about alcohol-related harm in Australia, and summarise international best practice in alcohol-prevention policies and programs, rather than to articulate a particular course of action. However, some priorities for preventative policies and programs, and for research, are most important and most urgent, and should be singled out, because they represent a gap in current practice or knowledge in Australia or because they would enhance and/or inform existing and new practices. In the first instance, the major imperatives for Australia are to:
1. Reshape consumer demand towards safer drinking through:
- Managing both the physical availability (access) and economic availability (price). The high accessibility of alcohol – in terms of outlet opening hours, density of alcohol outlets and discounting of alcohol products – is an issue in many Australian communities.
- Addressing the cultural place of alcohol. Carefully planned, targeted and research-based social marketing and public education are required, and will be more effective if the marketing of alcoholic beverages is restricted, including curbing advertising and sponsorship of cultural and sporting events.
2. Reshape supply towards lower-risk products through:
- Changes to the current taxation regime to stimulate the production and consumption of low-alcohol products.
- Improved enforcement of current legislative and regulatory measures (such as Responsible Serving of Alcohol or bans on serving intoxicated persons and minors, or continuing to lower the blood alcohol content in drink-driving laws).
3. Strengthen, skill and support primary health care to help people in making healthy choices:
- Supporting brief interventions as part of routine practice by health professionals and other health workers in primary healthcare settings can assist changes in drinking behaviour and attitudes to alcohol consumption. This support should include consideration of building appropriate reimbursements and other incentives into health system funding.
4. Close the gap for disadvantaged communities:
- There is a need for tailored approaches and services to reach Indigenous and other disadvantaged groups.
5. Improve the evaluation of interventions through:
- Monitoring and evaluation of regulatory measures and other programs to underpin the further evolution of prevention strategies directed at inappropriate alcohol consumption.
- Developing effective models of safer patterns of alcohol consumption in different communities through changes to alcohol taxation arrangements, and an understanding of the impact of different types of alcohol outlets and their density on hospitalisation, violence and crime rates.