Public Forum on Alcohol and Health

Dr. David H. Jernigan, Boston University professor and expert on alcohol policy, will discuss “Alcohol and Health: What do we know and what can we do?” in a public forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Sudbury and the Sudbury Board of Health. The forum, a webinar on Zoom, will be Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. It is open to the public; register here https://tinyurl.com/3c4aw7w9 .

A year ago, the U.S. surgeon general issued a public health advisory covering health risks associated with alcohol consumption, low public awareness of these risks, and the need for improved product labeling to inform the public. Dr. Jernigan will discuss those findings and their implications for alcohol consumption and public policy. There will be a question-and-answer period.

Olivia Dufour, Sudbury’s regional substance use coordinator, will also briefly discuss the use of opioid settlement funds in substance abuse prevention and review data gathered regarding alcohol use in Great Meadows Public Health Collaborative towns.

Dr. Jernigan is a Boston University School of Public Health Professor of Health Law, Policy and Management, and Assistant Dean, Public Health Practice. For more than 35 years, he has worked on alcohol policy issues, including alcohol marketing and its influence on young people.

The Surgeon General’s report, https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/reports-and-publications/alcohol-cancer/index.html, stated the consumption of alcohol increases the risk for developing at least seven different types of cancer.