How better access to alcohol treatment could reduce care disparities
Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment Simulation: Modeling treatment impacts on alcohol-related disparities
Using computer models, this project looks at whether expanding access to screening, counseling, medications, and support helps people with alcohol use disorder, especially groups who face barriers to care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Triangle Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Research Triangle Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11386387 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or someone you care about has alcohol use disorder, this project uses computer simulations to project how changes in services could affect treatment access and outcomes over time. It models the full continuum of alcohol services—from screening and brief interventions to specialty care, medications, and informal supports like Alcoholics Anonymous—to see what reaches different groups. The team compares universal increases in access with targeted efforts aimed at specific subgroups to identify who benefits most and whether there are unintended consequences. The results are meant to help policymakers and health systems prioritize programs that reduce disparities in care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The focus is on adults with alcohol use disorder, particularly people from underserved or high-risk subgroups who have faced barriers to accessing treatment.
Not a fit: People without alcohol problems or those already receiving timely, effective treatment may not see direct benefits from this project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide policymakers and health systems to expand the right mix of services so more people with alcohol use disorder get effective care.
How similar studies have performed: Simulation models have informed responses to the opioid crisis, but a comprehensive simulation covering the full alcohol services continuum is novel.
Where this research is happening
Research Triangle Park, United States
- Research Triangle Institute — Research Triangle Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karriker-Jaffe, Katherine J. — Research Triangle Institute
- Study coordinator: Karriker-Jaffe, Katherine J.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.