Read the Complete Policy Paper Here:http://bit.ly/8dPuST
Research has shown that one of the most promising ways to reduce risky alcohol use, whether it involves adults or minors, is to control access. Simply put, the easier it is to get alcohol, the more likely it will be used or abused. The challenge is to find which specific mechanisms will best achieve the desired impact.
Given the range of problems associated with risky drinking - it is linked to an increased risk of car crashes, fights, rapes, murders, and property damage - a large body of public health research has emerged focusing on the potential of curbing alcohol-related problems by controlling the physical availability of alcohol.
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Read the policy paper here: http://bit.ly/8l6JvS
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a major contributor to traffic crashes and fatalities, with nearly 17,000 lives lost in the Untied States each year due to alcohol-related crashes. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for those between 4 and 34 years of age and rank third overall in terms of years of life lost, after cancer and heart disease (Subramanian, 2006). Over the last four decades the U.S. has joined the rest of the industrialized world in implementing a modern DUI enforcement system based on the well-established relationship of driving impairment to the level of alcohol in the blood. This has resulted in hundreds of specific changes in laws across the 50 U.S. states designed to deter DUI, including reductions in legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for driving, mandatory minimum jail and fine penalties for those convicted of DUI, administrative license revocation at the time of arrest for DUI, and implementation of sobriety checkpoints. Teen drivers are at particular risk. Although they drink and drive less often than older drivers, when they do drink and drive they are at greater risk of being involved in a crash (Mayhew et al., 1986; Williams, 2003). As a result, minimum legal drinking age (MLDA), zero BAC limits and graduated drivers licensing laws which lengthen the driving learning period and limit high-risk nighttime driving until the novice driver has gained experience have been implemented to reduce risk among drivers under age 21.
Read the complete policy paper here:http://bit.ly/5wxSMh
The economic costs of drug and alcohol abuse in the United States are estimated to exceed $275 billion a year, including lost productivity, medical expenses, crime, and other costs (Stein, 2001). About 3 million individuals entered addiction treatment services last year but more than 23 million adults and adolescents are in need of addiction treatment leaving more than 20 million needing but not receiving treatment (SAMHSA, 2008).
In 2003, the United States spent an estimated $21 billion (U.S. dollars) on treatment for alcohol and drug disorders, a total of 1.3 percent of all health care expenditures (Mark et al., 2007, 2008). Public payers now account for 77% of all spending to address drug and alcohol disorders. Consequently, policymakers want to learn more about the costs and benefits of treatment to justify the use of billions of public monies used yearly for this purpose. During the last five years, with support from SAPRP and other sources both public and private, new studies have begun to examine and evaluate the benefits and cost-effectiveness of investing in treatment.
Read the complete policy paper here:http://bit.ly/5s0uS3
A 2002 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM), Unequal Treatment (Smedley et al., 2002), found that minorities in the United States generally receive inferior health care and have worse health outcomes than Caucasians. Since then, there have been several efforts to understand and address racial and ethnic health disparities and respond to Congress goal of reducing these inequities by 2010.
But such efforts are unlikely to succeed if improvements in substance abuse prevention and treatment are not achieved. For all Americans, not just racial and ethnic minorities, substance abuse is one of the most damaging, difficult, and expensive health problems facing the country today. However, there is a dearth of information available on how racial and ethnic differences might influence or affect various aspects of substance abuse treatment, including utilization of and access to services. Understanding how racial and ethnic minorities differ in the need for treatment and how different groups obtain (or fail to obtain) treatment for their substance abuse problems is critical to achieving greater equality in health care and health outcomes.
Read the complete policy paper here:http://bit.ly/4C4O90
Research has shown that one of the most promising ways to reduce risky alcohol use, whether it involves adults or minors, is to control access. Simply put, the easier it is to get alcohol, the more likely it will be used or abused. The challenge is to find which specific mechanisms will best achieve the desired impact.
Given the range of problems associated with risky drinking - it is linked to an increased risk of car crashes, fights, rapes, murders, and property damage - a large body of public health research has emerged focusing on the potential of curbing alcohol-related problems by controlling the physical availability of alcohol.
Read the complete policy paper here:http://bit.ly/7wuxEq
Thousands of communities across the country and more than two dozen states have passed various forms of clean indoor air laws that restrict or ban smoking in public places to reduce the harmful effect of secondhand smoke exposure. These new measures have prompted interest in learning more about whether they lead to health improvements and, also, how they may adversely affect certain businesses that have historically allowed smoking, such as hotels, bars, and restaurants. Since its inception, SAPRP has funded 25 studies addressing issues around policies targeting smoking in various places including worksites, restaurants, other public places.
David Colby, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Evaluation at RWJF, will summarize the panel discussion and key lessons learned from the Foundations investment in this area.
Dr. Colby’s Bio: http://bit.ly/2felnM
Policy Paper: http://bit.ly/4sBxbl
Dennis McCarty, Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University, speaks about delivery and quality of substance abuse treatment, integration with primary care and patient-centered medical homes, disparities and cost of care.
Dr. McCarty’s Bio: http://bit.ly/1lZIua
Policy Paper: http://bit.ly/3p8TYe
Marjorie Gutman, Ph.D., SAPRP Co-Director, speaks about criminal justice, prevention policies in schools and among youth, prescription drug abuse and clinical trials for drug prevention.
Dr. Gutman’s Bio: http://bit.ly/TGULe
Policy Paper: http://bit.ly/BriefingPapers
