UK Alcohol Policy and the Role of Evidence

What is it about?

We found lack of agreement between policy contacts whose views varied on the usefulness of available research evidence. Also how evidence was used in policy documents demonstrated the tension between the views from researchers that the only form of evidence that is acceptable is from rigorous studies in peer-reviewed journals and a more loosely held notion of evidence which includes the views of experts and experience from practice common in policy circles.

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Why is it important?

The paper raises the question on whether within a complex public health area such as addressing alcohol-related harm a more flexible approach to informing policy should be embraced. The term evidence informed policy may provide a means to include knowledge and experience from a wider range of sources and open up perceptions of what counts as evidence for policy-making.