WHO/Europe is leveraging its expertise to highlight the potential of screening and brief interventions (SBI) for alcohol use in different settings at the 20th INEBRIA conference, taking place in Barcelona, Spain, on 21–22 November 2024. The International Network on Brief Interventions for Alcohol and Other Drugs (INEBRIA) and is a global platform dedicated to advancing brief intervention practices for alcohol and other substances, which brings together public health leaders, researchers and practitioners to share insights and best practice, and foster international collaboration.
SBI is a simple, yet powerful tool used in health care and other settings to prevent potential harm or reduce current harm from alcohol and other drug use. SBI enables individuals to identify and recognize the impact of alcohol on their health, and facilitates short, structured conversations that can motivate and support individuals to change their behaviour, and access further support if needed. Integrating SBI into routine health care, and other settings, at a public health level can reduce the burden of alcohol-related harms, which affects millions across the WHO European Region.
One of the settings where SBI can be implemented is in workplaces. Between 5% and 20% of employees in the European Region have an alcohol use disorder or are at risk of developing one, therefore workplaces present an ideal setting to enhance health promotion, and support prevention and reduction of alcohol harm. At the INEBRIA conference, WHO/Europe will facilitate a workshop that will harness perspectives of delegates and collaborate with them to co-design an innovative digital tool for SBI on alcohol for workplaces. This will be developed in partnership with the WHO Collaborating Centre on Substance Use, Noncommunicable Diseases and Policy Impact, as part of the European Union-funded Evidence into Action Alcohol project (EVID-ACTION).
WHO/Europe’s contributions also extend to fostering inclusivity and knowledge exchange. The Organization has worked to engage specialists and participants from Commonwealth of Independent States countries, promoting cross-regional collaboration and practice exchange. Early career researchers, participants of the EVID-ACTION project, will also take the stage to present their innovative work, furthering the dialogue on SBI’s future applications in workplaces and community settings.
By driving discussions and co-creating solutions at INEBRIA 2024, WHO/Europe is paving the way for a broader adoption of SBI, reducing alcohol-related harm, and reshaping narratives around alcohol use and health.