Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

This project focuses on reducing health harms linked to home-brewed and community-made alcohol among Indigenous peoples communities with tribal organization worldwide. In many regions, traditional alcohol consumption is deeply rooted in cultural practices and plays a significant role in social and religious ceremonies. However, home-brewed alcohol often goes unregulated, posing serious public health risks due to impurities. These communities, already facing challenges like poverty, limited healthcare access, and the impacts of colonialism are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol. The proposed project will create an international network of experts to examine the unique factors driving alcohol production and consumption within these communities, focusing on Australia, India, and South Africa. Key activities will include a systematic review of current research on community-produced alcohol, a two-day virtual stakeholders' meeting to discuss these findings and novel ways to further the research in this area, and the development of a report and a peer-reviewed publication. The project will also integrate gender perspectives to ensure that health messages are tailored and effective across different groups. By fostering collaboration among researchers, health professionals, policymakers, and community representatives, this initiative aims to generate culturally informed research and strategies to mitigate alcohol-related harms and improve health outcomes in these communities. The anticipated outcomes will guide future research and interventions, supporting a healthier, safer environment for Indigenous Peoples and communities with tribal organization.