University of Newcastle researcher, Associate Professor Kypros Kypri*, was recently awarded a National Health and Medical Council Research Fellowship worth $650,000 to examine hazardous drinking.

The prestigious five-year Fellowship will allow Associate Professor Kypri to further develop a program of research into the causes of hazardous drinking, develop interventions, and evaluate polices to address this leading contributor to the global burden of disease.

Associate Professor Kypri is a behavioural scientist interested in the influence of social and physical environments on drinking behaviour.

“A lot of people tell me how much alcohol has affected their lives, via their own drinking, that of loved ones, and the actions of strangers. This is particularly pertinent at this time of year, when many people drink more than they usually do,” he said.

“Our research to date shows that the price of alcohol, its physical availability, late night trading hours, and promotion of alcohol through advertising and sponsorship help determine the prevalence of hazardous drinking in a population.”

In addition to continuing studies of these supply-side factors, Associate Professor Kypri’s research group is developing and trialling demand-side interventions such as web-based screening and brief interventions at John Hunter Hospital.

Media interviews:  Associate Professor Kypros Kypri will be available for interview before December 24 and on December 27 and 28 by phoning 0448 898 814.

* Associate Professor Kypri is a member of the University’s Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour and researches in collaboration with HMRI’s Public Health program.

HMRI is a partnership between the University, Hunter New England local Health District and the community.

*** Please note the University of Newcastle is closed from 5pm on Wednesday 19 December 2012 until 9am on Thursday 3 January 2013. ***