Dr. Alexa WheelerDr. Alexa Wheeler · 1 min read
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Alcohol Policy Conference in Arlington, Virginia. Established in 1981, the Alcohol Policy Conference advances evidence-based public policy to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm. With geographical proximity to the nation’s capitol, AP26 is at the forefront of political innovations. Professionals from all kinds of different backgrounds, including researchers, community practitioners, and public officials, gather to exchange ideas and share evidence about current alcohol-related harm reduction data and practices.
AP26 is held in collaboration with state and relational partners all over the US, sparking collaborative prevention efforts to inform both state and national policy initiatives related to alcohol policy. Inconsistencies in regulations have contributed to alcohol-related harmful consequences including public costs, increased youth access to alcohol, and violent crimes. This conference presented novel ideas from researchers, government officials, and community leaders regarding information and ways to reduce occurrences of these harmful outcomes. From alcohol outlet data across the US to physiological consequences of extended alcohol use, AP26 aims to advance policies that reduce alcohol-related harm.
With election season approaching, AP26 reinforced the importance of engaging with local policymakers to share evidence-based insights on the scientific issues affecting their communities. By doing so, we can ensure that science informs the decisions that shape public health and research funding.