Oral

Although individual policies can reduce alcohol-related problems at the population level, most policies are affected by other policies, and specific combinations of policies could be highly effective. This session will describe the novel activities of the Youth, Adults and Alcohol Policies project, which is designed to develop a framework to assess the effects of multiple alcohol policies, either alone or in combination, on alcohol-related behaviors and outcomes in youth and adults. Ten experts used a modified Delphi approach to develop a comparative policy effectiveness rating system and within-policy grading system to characterize multiple U.S. alcohol policies. The Alcohol Policy Information System and other data sources were used to compile a 78,000-element database of those policies and their key provisions, by state and year, from 1999-2011. There will be four session presentations: Dr. Naimi will discuss the development of a framework to assess the alcohol policy environment, and present aggregate policy scores for U.S. states in 2011; Mr. Blanchette will discuss the relationship between 29 individual policies and youth drinking behaviors in U.S. states; Dr. Nelson will present findings on the distribution and changes in select alcohol control policies across states and years 1999-2011; Dr. Xuan will discuss one particularly important policy – alcohol taxes – and how including multiple taxes (excise, ad valorem, sales taxes) and beverage types affects the relationship between alcohol taxes and binge drinking. Following the presentations, limitations, future directions, and public health implications and applications of this policy development research activity will be discussed.

Session Objectives: 1. Explain the rationale for characterizing and assessing the aggregate policy environment. 2. Explain the difference between the nominal presence of policies and their adequate implementation. 3. List which policies are associated with lower levels of youth drinking and binge drinking.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)