The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67261

Frederic C. Blow, PhD, Associate Professor and Senior Associate Research Scientist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, P.O. Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0170, (734) 761-2210, fredblow@umich.edu

The American Society on Aging’s Staying Healthy Project has tested an alcohol prevention brief intervention in a randomized controlled trial to reduce negative health consequences for at-risk older drinkers in traditional aging network settings. Study participants were 4,362 women and men (3,575 English speaking participants, 539 Chinese speaking participants, 126 Spanish speaking participants, and 122 Russian speaking participants), age 60 and older, who were screened for at-risk drinking and other health behaviors at 118 sites in 11 California counties. Screening identified 198 at-risk drinkers who were randomly assigned to the brief intervention or control group. Phone follow-up was conducted at 6 months to assess post-randomization level of drinking. Final data analysis will be completed in May 2003. This study was distinguished from previous studies in its focus on community versus clinical settings. Previous research on brief interventions, Project GOAL (Fleming et al., 1997) and the Health Profile Project (Blow and Barry, in press), conducted in primary care settings found significant reductions in binge drinking and seven-day alcohol use in the intervention group. This session will compare findings of the community-based Staying Healthy Project trial with previous trials in primary care settings. It will also discuss implications for future research and the application of brief intervention protocols in an expanded group of community settings, e.g. community health centers, health departments. Data collected on depression, smoking, and exercise will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between and efficacy of brief interventions with at-risk older drinkers in clinical and community settings.
• Identify how brief interventions could be applied in expanded community settings.
• Identify research implications and future research areas.

Keywords: Aging, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Consultant to grantee