HHD - HHD News - HHD Stories

To determine how states should report their progress toward reducing underage drinking, EDC’s Health & Human Development programs division (HHD) and the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association will host a gathering of nationally recognized researchers, prevention experts, and state government leaders at a meeting November 1-2 in Washington, D.C.

Researchers estimate that about 44% of college students are heavy drinkers, defined as five or more drinks in row on at least one occasion in the past two weeks for men and four or more drinks for women.* Approximately 1,400 college students die each year from alcohol-related causes.**

* Source: Harvard School of Public Health’s College Alcohol Study (CAS)

**Source: The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s 2002 report, A Call to Action: Changing the Culture of Drinking at U.S. Colleges

Under the recently authorized federal STOP Act, states are required to track their program and policy efforts to reduce underage drinking in communities and on college campuses. The upcoming meeting will produce recommendations on what data to collect and how to measure progress. Types of information to be collected include data on underage alcohol consumption at the local and state levels, consequences of use, and current prevention efforts.

“Our gathering of experts from the field creates a needed forum, one that will produce a blueprint for reporting progress nationally,” said HHD Senior Vice President Cheryl Vince Whitman. “We are pleased to be asked to assist our local, state and federal colleagues as we all strive to reduce underage drinking in this country,” she said.

The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association has advocated for state control of the distribution and sale of alcohol. The Association has key ties to regulatory agencies, state agencies, alcohol industry representatives, and others interested in reducing the consequences related to underage drinking.

HHD’s is known for its evidence-based research and programs and reputation for collaborating with a variety of partners at all levels to support prevention initiatives.

“Together, our two organizations have the capacity to link diverse colleagues interested in the same outcome,” said HHD’s Beth DeRicco. “We are all focused on the same goal – reducing underage drinking.”

For more information on the STOP Act, or on the November meeting, contact HHD’s Beth DeRicco at 617-618-2602 or NABCA’s Steve Schmidt at 703-578-4200.


	address: 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458-1060 Need directions? phone: 800.225.4276 fax: 617.527.4096 e-mail: info@hhd.org	Copyright 2008 Education Development Center, Inc.