Health , wellbeing and inclusion
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Examining COVID-related restrictions on alcohol to promote positive policy reform post-pandemic
The problem
In Australia , alcohol is the second leading cause of drugrelated death and hospital admissions after tobacco . Around five Australians aged 15-24 years die and another 200 are hospitalised due to alcohol-related causes every week .
Underage alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of damage to the developing brain and developing an alcoholuse disorder in adulthood . During the pandemic , the rapid growth in online alcohol sales increased access for underage youth through lighter regulations around age verification and late-night takeaways .
Our solution
Regulating online alcohol sales in line with bricks-and-mortar outlets maintains responsible service of alcohol standards and helps reduce alcohol-related harms , says Dr Claire Wilkinson from the Drug Policy Modelling Program ( DPMP ) at UNSW . The DPMP generates evidence-based research , policy insights and interventions to inform government responses to drug-related problems .
More on this story
Claire Wilkinson researches public health and alcohol policy , using mixed methods and drawing on current policy as well as historical perspectives . She and Stephanie Colbert , a PhD candidate from UNSW Medicine & Health , are exploring increases in alcohol home delivery during COVID to inform future alcohol policy .
Claire Wilkinson is also mapping international alcohol policy responses during COVID in consultation with researchers from the UK , Finland , Canada , Chile and Italy and highlighting policy options for state and territory governments through communities of practice with peak bodies and health NGOs .
She was commissioned by NSW Health to evaluate a toolkit to help local health districts assess liquor licence applications within their local health context . The toolkit provides data on alcohol-related harm and local licenced premises to facilitate evidence-based decisions with a focus on health . It promotes using conditions , such as restricting trading hours and types of products vended , to reduce harmful consumption .
The toolkit represents a positive change in practice . It was revised based on Claire Wilkinson ’ s evaluation and rolled out to all local health districts .