A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study

Citation

Uny I, Sanchez Z, Piazza M, Valerio I, Burela P, Petticrew M, Angus C & Fitzgerald N (2023) A comparison of Alcohol Policy subsystems in Peru and Brazil: findings from a qualitative study. 48th Annual Symposium of the Kettil Bruun Society for Social and Epidemiological Research on Alcohol, Johannesburg, 05.06.2023-09.06.2023. https://www.kbs2023joburg.org/

Abstract
Background: There is strong evidence at a global level of the effectiveness of policies aimed at controlling alcohol availability, accessibility, and marketing to reduce harm. However, we need to better understand how particular alcohol policy subsystems, their actors and their contexts influence the progress of such policies. Aims: this comparative paper aims to describe alcohol policy subsystems in Brazil and Peru in order to gain insight around key elements of their context, process, actors and content, and discuss areas in the systems where potential progress can be made Methods: Using both the advocacy coalition and the health policy triangle frameworks, this comparative paper draw on 61 semi-structured interviews conducted in Peru and Brazil with a mix of public servants, policy makers and civil society stakeholders. Using thematic analysis, we compared and contrasted key components in each of the alcohol policy subsystems. We interrogated the roles and beliefs of key actors in the subsystem, the broad contexts of alcohol policy making, and barriers to progress in terms of the process and content of policymaking. We also highlighted key areas in the policysytems where participants felt progress could be achieved Discussion/Conclusion: Our comparative analysis of the Peru and Brazil alcohol policy system will support future research. It remains mindful of contextual differences whilst providing potentially transferable insights for the rest of the Latin America region.