Alcohol is a leading underlying cause of injury, illnesses, and premature death in Colorado. This session will focus on identifying ways to effectively communicate and intervene to decrease alcohol’s harms in areas outside of the Denver metro area. The session will begin with a review of quantitative epidemiologic data on the alcohol’s adverse health impacts on key health outcomes (injuries, hospitalizations, Emergency Department visits, deaths) and access to care for substance use disorders in areas outside the metro area. There will then be a panel discussion of the qualitative impacts of alcohol, including ways to communicate about these harms, and promising policy interventions. Alcohol has serious adverse health outcomes in areas outside the Denver metro area. Interventions will require statewide support, so we need effective methods for communicating about alcohol to rural areas. Ways to promote attendee interaction and discussion – We will assure that there will be at least 30 minutes for the panel discussion, including time for comments and questions from attendees.
