Research outputs

Publications

Communities in charge of alcohol (CICA): a protocol for a stepped-wedge randomised control trial of an alcohol health champions programme

Penny A. Cook, Suzy C. Hargreaves, Elizabeth J. Burns, Frank de Vocht, Steve Parrot, Margaret Coffey, Suzanne Audrey, Cathy Ure, Paul Duffy, David Ottiwell, Kiran Kenth, Susan Hare & Kate Ardern

This paper describes the protocol for our stepped wedge randomised controlled trial of an Alcohol Health Champions programme in Greater Manchester which aims to strengthen the evidence base of ABCD approaches for health improvement and reducing alcohol-related harm. The CICA programme is the first time that a devolved UK region has attempted to coordinate an approach to building health champion capacity, presenting an opportunity to investigate its implementation and impact at scale.

We are investigating whether training lay people to offer brief advice and take action on licensing decisions has an impact on alcohol-related harm in local areas; the cost-consequences for health and criminal justice sectors, and; mechanisms that influence intervention outcomes. As well as providing evidence for the effectiveness of this intervention to reduce the harm from alcohol, this evaluation will contribute to broader understanding of asset based approaches to improve public health.

To find out more, see: Cook, P.A., Hargreaves, S.C., Burns, E.J. et al. Communities in charge of alcohol (CICA): a protocol for a stepped-wedge randomised control trial of an alcohol health champions programme. BMC Public Health 18, 522 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5410-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5410-0

Mobilising communities to address alcohol harm: an Alcohol Health Champion approach

Cathy Ure, Liz Burns, Suzy C. Hargreaves, Margaret Coffey, Suzanne Audrey, Kiran Kenth, Kate Ardern & Penny A. Cook

In this article, Cathy Ure et al. look at engaging communities in order to reduce alcohol harms. By training Alcohol Health Champions, individuals can support vulnerable friends and family, and work within their communities to influence policy and promote change.

To find out more, see: Ure, C., Burns, L., Hargreaves, S. C., Coffey, M., Audrey, S., Kenth, K., Ardern, K., & Cook, P. A. (2020). Mobilising communities to address alcohol harm: an Alcohol Health Champion approach. Perspectives in public health, 140(2), 88–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913919899700

Conference presentations

Measuring the impact of external contextual factors on implementation outcomes: a methodology for evaluating complex interventions to improve health. Virtual presentation at HSR UK Conference, 2020.

Liz Burns, Suzy C. Hargreaves, Cathy Ure, Margaret Coffey, Suzanne Audrey & Penny A. Cook

Evaluating an alcohol health champion community intervention: How do newly-trained champions perceive and understand their training and role? Virtual presentation at HSR UK Conference, 2020.

Suzy C. Hargreaves, Cathy Ure, Liz Burns, Margaret Coffey. Suzanne Audrey & Penny A. Cook

An Evaluation Of An Asset-based Community Development Approach To Reducing Alcohol Harm: Exploring The Barriers And Facilitators Impacting On Community Mobilisation At Initial Implementation Stage. Virtual presentation at HSR UK Conference, 2020.

Cathy Ure, Suzy C. Hargreaves, Liz Burns, Margaret Coffey, Suzanne Audrey & Penny A. Cook