Publications

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a routinely implemented Australian school-based substance use prevention program in reducing primary school students' intentions for future use, awareness, knowledge and confidence to avoid tobacco, alcohol and other drugs.

To appeal to health-conscious consumers, alcohol producers are marketing products with a range of ‘better for you’ claims. This study aims to: (i) develop a typology of text-based ‘better for you’ claims used on alcohol products; (ii) assess the prevalence of these claims in the Australian market overall and by alcohol category; and (iii) identify the extent to which products display multiple claims.

Community controlled Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) lead the way in addressing the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. If appropriately resourced, AMSs are inherently well-placed to address prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The Strong Start, Bright Future project and a regional AMS co-created culturally-informed approaches to address PAE and FASD. This study reports baseline findings and proposed strategies for the implementation phase of the project.

Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia: Opening remarks 14 April 2026. Elizabeth Elliott, Sharon Medlow and Fiona Robards.

Australian midlife men are more likely to drink exceeding Australia's Alcohol guidelines for adults compared to midlife women. Despite this, there is a paucity of research investigating the factors associated with risky drinking for midlife men to inform preventive health efforts. This study investigates these factors and how they differ between younger and older midlife men.

Children and youth with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have limited access to assessment, diagnostic, and treatment resources – a distinct disadvantage in meeting their care needs in Australia. Limited knowledge exists on the intersection of FASD, Indigeneity, racism, trauma, and child welfare involvement. Notably, the lack of support for children with FASD increases the risk of adverse outcomes, including incarceration, homelessness, mental health problems, and early mortality. Children with FASD are often cared for in the child protection system by kinship carers, many without a diagnosis or the benefits of FASD informed care. This research examined the caregiving experiences of foster and Aboriginal kinship carers, caring for children with FASD in child protection.