Physician organizations' involvement in alcohol control

There is mounting evidence of the magnitude of the global burden of disease linked to alcohol use and abuse. In the US, underage and high risk drinking are persistent problems. Medical associations have played an important role in addressing alcohol control. The presentation will provide examples of physician organzations playing an active role in advocacy and interventions, e.g., privatization of state sales, WHO alcohol strategy, minimum legal drinking age, alcohol in the US Dietary Guidelines, underage drinking initiatives, and screening and brief interventions. Further, there will be discussion of physician advocacy efforts at the local, state, national and international level and ways that other policy groups can involve physician groups in order to promote healthy communities.