World Health Organization. (2022) Webinar: Reducing exposure to alcogenic environments among young people: what can be learned from community-led approaches? World Health Organization.
External website: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2022/1...
Alcohol consumption in young people carries significant health risks and no benefits. Minimising alcohol consumption among young people is a primary intervention target to substantially reduce the global health loss attributable to alcohol consumption, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Living in an alcogenic environment increases young people’s frequency of alcohol consumption and the risk of experiencing harm related to alcohol consumption. For example, living within a ten-minute drive of more alcohol outlets has been associated with consuming larger quantities of alcohol among young drinkers. Alcohol outlet density may affect young people’s alcohol consumption by influencing their drinking routines, pro-alcohol attitudes and social norms or creating competition, thus decreasing alcoholic beverage pricing. A high number of alcohol outlets and alcohol advertisements work synergistically to create an alcogenic environment. Alcohol advertising and marketing increase alcohol consumption via the normalisation of the behaviour and creation of pro-alcohol personal attitudes and social norms in young people. Cheap or alcohol products in small containers increase affordability and, consequently, exposure to alcogenic environments. Alcohol outlet density could, for example, be responsible for creating competition and decreasing alcohol beverage pricing.
Addressing the multidimensional connotations of alcogenic environments requires interventions targeting multiple points. Multi-pronged approaches that recognise the need for coordinated actions tackling the acceptability, availability and affordability driving alcohol consumption have shown to be more effective. A comprehensive health promotion approach engaging all decision-makers, advocates and policy-makers is critical. Members of communities can advocate and legitimise policy actions and support the implementation and enforcement of these alcohol policy-relevant initiatives.
The event was co-organised by the Less Alcohol Unit of the Department of Health Promotion at the World Health Organization and Movendi International. To view webinars from the 'Less alcohol' series view this page on the WHO website.
B Substances > Alcohol
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Prevention by setting > Community-based prevention
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Prevention approach > Prevention through information and education
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health related issues > Health information and education
L Social psychology and related concepts > Social context > Community environment
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Marketing and public relations (advertising)
N Communication, information and education > Information use and impact
T Demographic characteristics > Child / children
T Demographic characteristics > Adolescent / youth (teenager / young person)
VA Geographic area > International
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