Danielle Hunkins, Jasmine Braxton and Brooke Lombardo, “Reducing Binge Drinking at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Planning for a Future Public Health Program”
Mentor: Rose Hennessy Garza, Public Health, Public Health (Joseph J. Zilber School of)
Poster #143
Excessive alcohol consumption remains a major public health issue at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), where high rates of binge drinking negatively affect academic performance, student health, and campus safety. In 2022, 26.6% of 18-24 year olds in Wisconsin engaged in binge drinking, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This is higher than the US average of 16.9%. To reduce binge drinking among UWM students, a future public health program is proposed. The program planning process will include an informal literature review on alcohol use among college students using a modified version of Intervention Mapping. A health behavior theory will be used to inform interventions targeting attitudes, social influences, and students’ control over binge drinking. Additionally, a logic model will be developed to guide the program’s design and evaluation. With evidence-based interventions and community participation, this public health initiative could significantly reduce the negative consequences of alcohol misuse at UWM. With less binge drinking, the university community would likely see improvements in academic performance, student well-being, and campus safety.