Rethinking Drinking Materials Development

NIAAA

Since 2001, Westat has worked with NIAAA to translate research results into effective and award-winning public outreach and communication products. We have recommended strategies for outreach initiatives, developed communication plans, conducted research with prospective partners, created messages to target audiences through the media, developed campaign materials, and disseminated information to NIAAA’s various target audiences.

Westat collaborated with NIAAA to conduct formative research, develop, and promote the award-winning Helping Patients Who Drink Too Much: A Clinician’s Guide. This publication provides a step-by-step approach to help health care providers identify and manage patients with heavy drinking and alcohol use disorders. Westat is also working with NIAAA to develop Rethinking Drinking, which will to provide patients with information about normal drinking patterns; symptoms of alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorders; strategies for cutting down or quitting; and links to resources.

Westat also developed a series of awareness activities to communicate messages about alcohol through a variety of outreach activities. We worked with NIAAA to develop and conduct media outreach for campaigns that linked alcohol to significant social events. Products included fact sheets, news releases, tip sheets, and backgrounders. We also established relationships with government agencies and advocacy organizations to develop and disseminate evidenced-based NIAAA messages.