Change IS Possible: Reducing High-Risk Drinking Using a Collaborative Improvement Model.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the adoption of public health and improvement methodologies to address college students' high-risk drinking behaviors and to aid in prevention efforts. PARTICIPANTS: Members of 32 colleges and universities, content experts, and staff members of the National College Health Improvement Program (NCHIP). METHODS: A 2-year learning collaborative developed by NCHIP trained individuals from 32 different college and universities in using the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle as a method to create and implement initiatives aimed at reducing students' high-risk drinking behaviors and related harms. RESULTS: Participants experienced success ranging from noteworthy increases in type and amount of interventions directed at reducing high-risk drinking, to creating collaboratives across campus, the local community, and stakeholders. Challenges related to data collection and creating lasting cultural change remain. CONCLUSIONS: The use of quality improvement methodologies and creation of a national collaborative successfully effected meaningful change in high-risk drinking behaviors on college campuses.