NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Local policy changes to reduce alcohol-related harm

Official title: Environmental Approaches to Prevention

Funded at Pacific Institute for Res and Evaluation · NIH-11243489 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project explores whether changing local alcohol policies and community practices can reduce drinking harms for teenagers and adults.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPacific Institute for Res and Evaluation
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Beltsville, United States)
Project startSeptember 29, 1983
Project endNovember 30, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,768,934
NIH project number5P60AA006282-44
Project IDNIH-11243489 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

People about 12 years and older—especially teens, young adults, and adults living in communities with high alcohol problems or involved in local prevention—are the primary focus.

Less likely to help

Individuals seeking one-on-one clinical treatment for alcohol dependence or people not living in affected U.S. communities may not receive direct benefit from this policy-focused work.

What this research studies

As someone in a community, I would see researchers working with local groups and governments to change things like where alcohol is sold, enforcement practices, and community prevention programs. They carry out real-world projects in neighborhoods and collect surveys, service data, and community-level statistics to see whether those changes lead to less risky drinking and fewer alcohol-related problems. The center also translates findings into practical guidance, shares results with communities, and trains new prevention researchers.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, stronger local policies and prevention programs could lower alcohol-related injuries, risky drinking, and community harms.

How similar studies have gone: Previous community and policy-based prevention efforts have reduced underage drinking and alcohol harms in many areas, although outcomes vary by local context and implementation.

Where this research is happening

  • Pacific Institute for Res and Evaluation
    Beltsville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Paschall, Mallie J — Pacific Institute for Res and Evaluation
  • Study coordinator: Paschall, Mallie J

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.