Key Information
Project Title: Healthy Local Community: Prevention of Risky Alcohol Consumption (HLC-PRD)
Call for Proposals: Public Call for the Selection of Research Projects under the Target Research Program “TRP 2024” in the Year 2024
Call Issuer: ARIS – Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Project Number / Code: V3-24043
Project Duration: 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2026
Project Holder: Faculty of Health Sciences in Celje
Total Project Value: EUR 80,000.00
Funding Information: The project is co-financed by the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (50%) and the Ministry of Health (50%)
Project Leader at FZVCE: Prof. Dr. Kristijan Breznik
Project Description
Risky alcohol consumption is becoming an increasing public health concern worldwide. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, alcohol use contributed to three million deaths in 2016 and was responsible for 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury. Alcohol is associated with a higher risk of numerous health conditions, including addiction, liver cirrhosis, and various infectious and mental illnesses.
Slovenia has for many years implemented various measures to control alcohol consumption, including legislative and regulatory acts, as well as national and over 70 local-level prevention programs aimed at managing risky drinking behaviors.
International research has shown that local initiatives and interventions can reduce the harmful effects of risky alcohol consumption. Targeted programs and local policies can help raise public awareness about the risks of excessive alcohol use and promote responsible alcohol behavior.
The aim of this project is to develop guidelines for the design of preventive activities at the local level, based on a comprehensive community-based approach.
Work Packages
The project activities aimed at achieving the set objectives are divided into five work packages:
Work Package 1: Analysis of the current situation regarding risky alcohol consumption in Slovenia
This work package will focus on collecting data on the current state of alcohol consumption at the local level, identifying key demographic groups, and understanding their behavioral patterns.
Work Package 2: Analysis of existing and past public policies
The objective of this work package is to identify existing programs and key stakeholders, and based on this analysis, propose improvements for more effective prevention strategies.
Work Package 3: International comparative analysis
This work package will enable the comparison of public health policies and programs across different countries to identify successful strategies that could be adapted for use in Slovenia.
Work Package 4: Development of a strategic approach and a set of effective measures
The aim is to design a strategy and select appropriate measures for implementation at the local level, thereby supporting local decision-makers in the execution of these policies.
Work Package 5: Dissemination of knowledge and best practices
This work package will focus on accelerating the exchange of best practices and research findings through conferences, publications, and other forms of communication.
Expected Results:
- Overview of the current situation regarding risky alcohol consumption in Slovenia
- Review of prevention activities addressing risky alcohol consumption in Slovenia and abroad
- Final findings and recommendations/proposals for the development of preventive activities to reduce risky alcohol consumption at the local community level
- Research results and recommendations for the implementation of preventive measures related to risky alcohol consumption at the local level (a comprehensive collection of analyses published as an e-book)
- Guidelines, key principles, and a set of recommendations for effective measures aimed at local decision-makers to limit alcohol consumption (printed document)
