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Thompson K, Cooper S, Langille W, Webber B, MacDonald-Spracklin R, Asbridge M, Barker B, Kruisselbrink D, Olthuis J, Paradis C, Stewart S, Stockwell T, Strang R. Assessing the implementation of evidence-based alcohol policies on Atlantic Canadian post-secondary campuses: A comparative analysis. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2024:10.17269/s41997-024-00907-4. [PMID: 39060713 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-024-00907-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study assessed the quality of campus alcohol policies against best practice to assist campus decision-makers in strengthening their campus alcohol policies and reducing student alcohol use and harm. METHODS Drawing on empirical literature and expert opinion, we developed an evidence-based scoring rubric to assess the quality of campus alcohol policies across 10 alcohol policy domains. Campus alcohol policy data were collected from 12 Atlantic Canadian universities. All extracted data were verified by the institutions and then scored. RESULTS On average, post-secondary institutions are implementing only a third of the evidence-based alcohol policies captured by the 10 domains assessed. The average campus policy score was 33% (range 15‒49%). Of the 10 domains examined, only enforcement achieved an average score above 50%, followed closely by leadership and surveillance at 48%. The two heaviest-weighted domains-availability and access, and advertising and sponsorship-had average scores of 27% and 24%, respectively. However, if post-secondary campuses adopted the highest scoring policies from across all 12 campuses, they could achieve a score of 74%, indicating improvement is possible. CONCLUSION Atlantic Canadian universities are collectively achieving less than half their potential to reduce student alcohol-related harm. However, this study identifies opportunities where policies can be enhanced or modified. The fact that most policies are present at one or more campuses highlights that policy recommendations are an achievable goal for campuses. Campuses are encouraged to look to each other as models for improving their own policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara Thompson
- St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada.
| | | | | | - Brynn Webber
- St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS, Canada
| | | | | | - Bryce Barker
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | - Tim Stockwell
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, BC, Canada
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Batchelor S, Lunnay B, Macdonald S, Ward PR. Extending the sociology of candidacy: Bourdieu's relational social class and mid-life women's perceptions of alcohol-related breast cancer risk. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS 2023; 45:1502-1522. [PMID: 37056162 DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Alcohol is a modifiable breast cancer risk, increasing risk in a dose-dependent manner. Mid-life women (aged 45-64 years) consume alcohol at higher rates than younger women and this, combined with age, make them a high-risk group for breast cancer. This critical public health problem has a seemingly obvious solution (reduce drinking); however, women do not necessarily know alcohol causes breast cancer, and if they do, reducing consumption is not always possible, or desirable. To innovate public health responses, we employ an interpretative sociological framework 'candidacy' to understand women's perspectives on breast cancer risk relative to alcohol consumption and their social class. Drawing on 50 interviews with Australian mid-life women, our findings reveal the socio-structural determinants of 'candidacy', that mean modifying alcohol consumption for breast cancer prevention is impacted by social class. Utilising Bourdieu's relational capitals, our interpretations show how social class shapes women's ascriptions and enactments of breast cancer candidacy. We offer an important theoretical extension to 'candidacy' by demonstrating more or less fluidity in women's assessment of breast cancer risk according to their agency to adopt breast cancer prevention messages. Understanding the social class possibilities and limitations in women's perceptions of breast cancer risk provides a new opportunity to reduce inequities in breast cancer incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Batchelor
- Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Adelaide Campus, Torrens University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Belinda Lunnay
- Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Adelaide Campus, Torrens University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sara Macdonald
- General Practice and Primary Care, Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Paul R Ward
- Research Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing, Adelaide Campus, Torrens University, Adelaide, Australia
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Pettigrew S, Booth L, Jongenelis MI, Brennan E, Chikritzhs T, Hasking P, Miller P, Hastings G, Wakefield M. A randomized controlled trial of the effectiveness of combinations of 'why to reduce' and 'how to reduce' alcohol harm-reduction communications. Addict Behav 2021; 121:107004. [PMID: 34102583 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alcohol is a major source of harm worldwide. The aim of this study was to experimentally assess the effects of exposing Australian adult drinkers to combinations of 'why to reduce' and 'how to reduce' alcohol harm-reduction messages. METHODS Three online surveys were administered over six weeks: Time 1 at baseline (n = 7,995), Time 2 at three weeks post-baseline (n = 4,588), and Time 3 at six weeks post-baseline (n = 2,687). Participants were randomly assigned to one of eight conditions: (1) a control condition; (2) a 'why to reduce' television advertisement; (3-5) one of three 'how to reduce' messages referring to the following protective behavioral strategies (PBSs): Keep count of your drinks, Decide how many drinks and stick to it, It's okay to say no; and (6-8) the television advertisement combined with each PBS message individually. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted to determine effects of condition assignment on changes over time in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption and amount of alcohol consumed. RESULTS Participants assigned to the 'TV ad' and 'TV ad + Keep count of your drinks PBS' conditions reported significant increases in attempts to reduce alcohol consumption. Only participants assigned to the 'TV ad + Keep count of your drinks PBS' condition exhibited a significant reduction in alcohol consumed (-0.87 drinks per person per week). CONCLUSIONS Well-executed 'why to reduce' alcohol harm-reduction advertisements can encourage drinkers to attempt to reduce their alcohol consumption. These ads may be effectively supplemented by specific 'how to reduce' messages designed to encourage drinkers to monitor their intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pettigrew
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, 1 King St, Newtown, NSW, Australia; National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, WA, Australia.
| | - Leon Booth
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, 1 King St, Newtown, NSW, Australia; School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, WA, Australia.
| | - Michelle I Jongenelis
- Melbourne Centre for Behaviour Change, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Barry St, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Emily Brennan
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Tanya Chikritzhs
- National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, WA, Australia.
| | - Penelope Hasking
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent St Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Peter Miller
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, VIC, Australia.
| | - Gerard Hastings
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Stirling University, Stirling, Scotland, UK.
| | - Melanie Wakefield
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Vegunta S, Lester SP, Pruthi S, Mussallem DM. Effects of major lifestyle factors on breast cancer risk: impact of weight, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco. BREAST CANCER MANAGEMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.2217/bmt-2020-0033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer death in US women. Family history and genetics are well-known BC risk factors, but they only account for 15–20% of BC cases. Therefore, in addition to family history, healthcare providers must consider a woman’s modifiable and nonmodifiable personal risk factors that are associated with an increase in BC risk. The World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research estimate that 30% of BC cases in the US are preventable. Lifestyle education is imperative given the magnitude of BC occurrence. Evidence supports prevention as an effective, long-term strategy for reducing risk. Healthcare providers are key stakeholders in empowering patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle for primary BC prevention. In this paper, we review the available evidence on modifiable BC risk including weight management, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use and provide strategies to counsel patients on lifestyle modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneela Vegunta
- Division of Women’s Health Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
| | - Sara P Lester
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sandhya Pruthi
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Dawn M Mussallem
- Jacoby Center for Breast Health, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Emmanuel A. Clinical Medicine 2020 - putting policy into practice. Clin Med (Lond) 2020; 20:1. [PMID: 31941724 PMCID: PMC6964172 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.ed.20.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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