Drink wisely Australians, but keep drinking: does the alcohol industry in Australia frame the discourse on alcohol to maintain hegemony?

2016 ◽  
Vol 160 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Joanne Pietracatella ◽  
Danielle Brady
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Framing Analysis ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Alcohol Industry ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Alcohol Issue ◽  
Alcohol Harm Reduction

Public health literature proposes that the Australian alcohol industry–funded organisation DrinkWise is a Social Aspects Public Relations Organisation (SAPRO) that favours industry over public interests by deploying ineffective alcohol harm reduction strategies. This research addresses a gap in the critical public relations literature by investigating these claims through an examination of DrinkWise’s source media content. Content and rhetorical framing analysis revealed how the organisation framed the alcohol issue, as well as identifying the messages and message audiences of their media releases. Results supported extant research suggesting that DrinkWise is insulating the alcohol industry against evidence-based public health harm reduction strategies, by engaging in agenda building through industry-friendly framing of the alcohol issue, and dissemination of information subsidies to elites and policy-makers. We discuss the conclusions through a lens of hegemony and develop an argument that DrinkWise media relations is a strategy to maintain a hegemonic individual responsibility ideology.

scholarly journals Comparing responses to public health and industry-funded alcohol harm reduction advertisements: an experimental study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e035569
Author(s):  
Emily Brennan ◽  
Danielle A J M Schoenaker ◽  
Sarah J Durkin ◽  
Kimberley Dunstone ◽  
Helen G Dixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Drinking Alcohol ◽  
Reduce Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Industry ◽  
Online Panel ◽  
Alcohol Harm Reduction

ObjectivesConduct a head-to-head experimental test of responses to alcohol harm reduction advertisements developed by alcohol industry Social Aspects/Public Relations Organisations (SAPROs) versus those developed by public health (PH) agencies. We hypothesised that, on average, SAPRO advertisements would be less effective at generating motivation (H1) and intentions to reduce alcohol consumption (H2) but more effective at generating positive perceptions of people who drink (H3).DesignOnline experiment with random assignment to condition.Participants2923 Australian adult weekly drinkers (49% high-risk drinkers) recruited from an opt-in online panel.InterventionsParticipants viewed 3 of 83 advertisements developed by PH agencies (n=2174) or 3 of 28 advertisements developed by SAPROs (n=749).Primary outcome measuresParticipants reported their motivation to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed; behave responsibly and/or not get drunk; and limit their drinking around/never supply to minors, as well as intentions to avoid drinking alcohol completely; reduce the number of drinking occasions; and reduce the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion. Participants also reported their perceptions of people who drink alcohol on six success-related items and four fun-related items.ResultsCompared with drinkers exposed to PH advertisements, those exposed to SAPRO advertisements reported lower motivation to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed (β=−0.091, 95% CI −0.171 to −0.010), and lower odds of intending to avoid alcohol completely (OR=0.77, 0.63 to 0.94) and to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed per occasion (OR=0.82, 0.69 to 0.97). SAPRO advertisements generated more favourable fun-related perceptions of drinkers (β=0.095, 0.013 to 0.177).ConclusionsThe alcohol harm reduction advertisements produced by alcohol industry SAPROs that were tested in this study were not as effective at generating motivation and intentions to reduce alcohol consumption as those developed by PH organisations. These findings raise questions as to whether SAPROs should play a role in alcohol harm reduction efforts.

scholarly journals How Are the Links between Alcohol Consumption and Breast Cancer Portrayed in Australian Newspapers?: A Paired Thematic and Framing Media Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7657
Author(s):  
Amy Rudge ◽  
Kristen Foley ◽  
Belinda Lunnay ◽  
Emma R. Miller ◽  
Samantha Batchelor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Print Media ◽  
Media Analysis ◽  
Shared Responsibility ◽  
Individual Responsibility ◽  
Framing Analysis

A dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and increased breast cancer risk is well established, even at low levels of consumption. Australian women in midlife (45–64 years) are at highest lifetime risk for developing breast cancer but demonstrate low awareness of this link. We explore women’s exposure to messages about alcohol and breast cancer in Australian print media in the period 2002–2018. Methods: Paired thematic and framing analyses were undertaken of Australian print media from three time-defined subsamples: 2002–2004, 2009–2011, and 2016–2018. Results: Five key themes arose from the thematic framing analysis: Ascribing Blame, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Entrenchment, False Equilibrium, and Recognition of Population Impact. The framing analysis showed that the alcohol–breast cancer link was predominantly framed as a behavioural concern, neglecting medical and societal frames. Discussion: We explore the representations of the alcohol and breast cancer risk relationship. We found their portrayal to be conflicting and unbalanced at times and tended to emphasise individual choice and responsibility in modifying health behaviours. We argue that key stakeholders including government, public health, and media should accept shared responsibility for increasing awareness of the alcohol–breast cancer link and invite media advocates to assist with brokering correct public health information.

scholarly journals Drinkwise, Enjoy Responsibly: News Frames, Branding and Alcohol

2011 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Carah ◽  
Andrew van Horen
Keyword(s):  
Public Relations ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Framing Analysis ◽  
News Frames ◽  
Alcohol Industry ◽  
The Press ◽  
Communicative Activities ◽  
Public Health Campaigns

This article examines the communicative activities and press coverage of the alcohol industry-funded social-change organisation DrinkWise. Established in 2005, DrinkWise funds health research in universities, runs public health campaigns and engages in public relations activities. We use a framing analysis to examine the way DrinkWise frames problems, judgements and solutions related to alcohol consumption and policy. The aim of this analysis is to examine how journalistic practice legitimises DrinkWise and facilitates the organisation's communicative activities. In addition, we consider how DrinkWise's representation in the press works alongside the organisation's array of communicative activities to facilitate the commercial objectives of the alcohol industry. We draw on the implications of this analysis to conceptualise how distinct forms of communicative work – such as academic research, policy-making, journalism and marketing, advertising and public relations – are interconnected.

Knowledge and Practice of Harm Reduction Strategies Among People Who Report Frequent Cannabis Use

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica S. Kruger ◽  
Daniel Kruger ◽  
R. Lorraine Collins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
Reduction Techniques ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

We examined knowledge and practice of harm reduction strategies among people who use cannabis attending an annual public cannabis advocacy event. We also assessed the sources from which they glean information about cannabis. Participants ( n = 472) completed a brief survey assessing cannabis use, sources for information on cannabis, and harm reduction strategies. Participants’ knowledge of cannabis was based mostly on their own experiments and experiences rather than on information from health professionals. Participants generally had low accuracy in identifying effective harm reduction techniques and low rates of utilizing effective harm reduction techniques, using them at the same rate overall as techniques without empirical support. Results from this survey will be useful to public health professionals developing and implementing harm reduction educational strategies related to cannabis use.

Poems and pancakes for alcohol harm reduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-171
Author(s):  
Andrew Misell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Alcohol Problems ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Asset Based Community Development ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Alcohol Harm Reduction

Purpose Programmes to promote alcohol awareness and harm reduction in the general population often take an atomised approach, encouraging individual drinkers to understand their unit intake and adjust it accordingly. Although many public health practitioners harbour doubts about the value of this approach, few clear alternatives have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to provide such an alternative. Design/methodology/approach Alcohol Concern’s Communities Together project was rooted in the idea that drinking patterns can only be understood in their social context. It was an attempt to take seriously Harold Holder’s injunction to “cease to focus narrowly on the individual and begin to adopt broader community perspectives on alcohol problems”. The project applied Asset-Based Community Development methods, handing a large degree of control over to the participants, drawing on their own talents and enthusiasms, and recognising their autonomy and their authority as experts in their own lives. Findings The project outputs have been described as “community development with an alcohol twist”. They included a range of activities and events that created inclusive and non-judgemental spaces for people to think about alcohol and draw their own conclusions. It was also a lesson in humility for those of us who like to consider ourselves as the experts in public health: we had to learn that we did not have all the answers to questions about other people’s lives. Practical implications The project indicates that community development may be a valid alternative to more traditional and more didactic approaches to alcohol harm reduction. Originality/value The project may provide an innovative and flexible model that could be applied in various communities in order to address alcohol misuse in an engaging and undogmatic fashion that helps people take more control of their own lives.

scholarly journals Problematic substance use or problematic substance use policies?

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 135-142
Author(s):  
Tim Stockwell ◽  
Cecilia Benoit ◽  
Kiffer Card ◽  
Adam Sherk
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Alcohol Control ◽  
Multiple Data ◽  
Problematic Substance Use ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Problematic Substance

This special issue on substance use issues comes at a critical time for Canadian health policy makers and researchers. Most attention is currently focussed on the opioid crisis and the potential impacts of cannabis legalization. However, our most widely used and harmful substances continue to be alcohol and nicotine. Our policies to reduce harms from these substances are failing. While alcohol control policies are being gradually abandoned, opportunities to maximize the harm reduction potential of new, alternative and safer nicotine delivery devices are not being grasped. More generally, a greater focus is needed on harm reduction strategies that are informed by the experience of marginalized people with severe substance use-related problems so as to not exacerbate health inequities. In order to better inform policy responses, we recommend innovative approaches to monitoring and surveillance that maximize the use of multiple data sources, such as those used in the Canadian Substance Use Costs and Harms (CSUCH) project. Greater attention to precision in defining patterns of risky use and harms is also needed to support policies that more accurately reflect and respond to actual levels of substance use-related harm in Canadian society.

scholarly journals Building a social marketing Strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm in France

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hochet ◽  
G Quatremère ◽  
R Andler ◽  
C Cogordan ◽  
V Nguyen Thanh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Marketing Strategy ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
The Social ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Alcohol Harm Reduction ◽  
Alcohol Related Harm ◽  
Related Harm

Abstract Background Alcohol use ranks among the top three risk factors in France, leading to about 40 000 deaths annually. French health authorities wished to renew the public health message about alcohol consumption and build a social marketing Strategy to lower the social and health consequences of alcohol consumption in France. Objectives Two main steps were followed: 1) gathering a group of experts to provide up-to-date low-risk drinking guidelines, 2) building, testing and implementing a social marketing Strategy based on this expertise. Results In 2017, the group of experts established low-risk drinking Guidelines based on both scientific evidence and socially acceptable risks for the French population. They suggested to increase awareness on alcohol-related harm as well as on the new Guidelines. In 2018, a social marketing Strategy was set up by Santé publique France, the French national public health Agency. Qualitative and quantitative pretests allowed to develop understandable and potentially effective communication materials consisting of the following message: “To protect your health, no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day, and not every day”. A web-based brief intervention to assess a person’s alcohol consumption was developed, based on a previous tool whose effectiveness had been demonstrated. In 2019, the Campaign was launched: health professionals were informed at first, followed by a national mass media Campaign that was broadcasted for 3 weeks, targeting the general population (TV, radio, press, the Internet). Conclusions It is the first time in France that such a global Strategy is set up to promote an alcohol harm reduction message. A robust evaluation is in progress but this structured approach seems feasible and reproducible abroad. Key messages In France, an alcohol harm reduction Strategy has been built up and implemented, based on scientifically-established Guidelines. The social marketing campaign is rigorously evaluated to assess its impact and portability.

scholarly journals Looking Beyond the Provision of Injecting Equipment to People Who Use Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: Harm Reduction and Behavior Change Goals for UK Policy

2021 ◽  
pp. 009145092199870
Author(s):  
Geoff Bates ◽  
Jim McVeigh ◽  
Conan Leavey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Reduction Strategies ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Androgenic Steroids

Understanding of the choices and motivations of people who use anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) for muscular enhancement has increased greatly in the past thirty years, along with understanding of a wide range of health harms associated with this form of drug use in the community. During this period the predominant public health intervention for this population in the UK has consistently remained the provision of injecting equipment to prevent blood borne virus (BBV) transmission. The study explored the health professionals’ and other stakeholders’ perceptions on: whether the current UK public health response is sufficient to address the needs of people who use AAS, and if not, what other needs they might have. This included an exploration of whether there were gaps in harm reduction strategies or other behavioral outcomes and interventions that were needed. Interviews with 27 stakeholders who provide support to people who use AAS in a variety of roles established consensus on the need for a range of interventions to reduce harm and risk in those that choose to use AAS, to prevent initiation, to motivate and support cessation, and to prevent relapse. Study findings indicate that while providing sterile injecting equipment remains essential, it should be considered a bare minimum. The challenge is to develop and deliver a range of harm reduction interventions that look beyond BBV prevention to provide appropriate support to who choose to use AAS at all points in their cycles of use and ultimately for those choosing the temporary or permanent cessation of use.

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