Preventing Alcohol Problems in Pacific Islander Young Adults
Official title: Preventing Alcohol Use Disorders and Alcohol-Related Harms in Pacific Islander Young Adults
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11395458 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A community-focused program aims to reduce heavy drinking and related harms among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders aged 18–30 in the U.S.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $644,127 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030786-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11395458 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
NPIs (Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders) aged 18–30 who are at risk for or experiencing heavy drinking and alcohol-related harms.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the NPI young adult group or those not at risk may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project adapts and tests a culturally grounded prevention approach called SPEAR to help Pacific Islander young adults avoid or reduce alcohol use disorders and harms. It builds on previous work and uses an Advisory Council and citizen panels to ensure the intervention fits NPIs’ traditions and needs. The study will develop a detailed treatment manual and conduct efficacy testing in collaboration with NPIs, communities, and local partners. The aim is to provide a scalable, culturally aligned prevention option that can be used in real-world settings to improve health and well-being for NPI young adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could reduce alcohol-related harms and improve health and social outcomes for NPI young adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests culturally tailored prevention approaches can reduce AUD risk in specific communities, with this study extending that to NPIs.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subica, Andrew Makoto — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Subica, Andrew Makoto
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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.