Regional advocacy networks for alcohol harm reduction in Southern Africa
1
Advocacy Projects, Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3633
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Alcohol-related harm is a cross-border public health challenge in Southern Africa, contributing significantly to injuries, violence, and non-communicable diseases. National-level responses are often insufficient, as alcohol industry influence, policy gaps, and marketing practices extend beyond national borders. Regional solidarity and coordinated action are therefore essential to advancing evidence-informed reforms and protecting vulnerable populations. This presentation examines the role of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) in building and sustaining regional advocacy networks that strengthen collective action, promote knowledge exchange, and influence alcohol policy reform across multiple countries.
METHODS:
SAAPA’s regional approach includes coordinated advocacy campaigns across member countries, such as World No Alcohol Day initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms that integrate research evidence, policy analysis, and community experiences, including findings from the multi-country study on alcohol availability and its relationship to gender-based violence as well as strategic partnerships with media practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to amplify public health messaging, supported through regional media engagement dialogues
RESULTS:
Regional collaboration has increased the visibility of alcohol harm reduction within public health agendas and strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations to collectively counter industry interference. Member organizations report improved coordination, shared learning, and greater influence in national and regional policy spaces.
CONCLUSIONS:
Cross-border collaboration through SAAPA demonstrates the value of regional advocacy networks in advancing alcohol harm reduction. By fostering solidarity, sharing knowledge, and coordinating strategic advocacy, SAAPA strengthens governance and helps ensure that public health priorities take precedence over commercial interests. This model offers important lessons for regional public health movements globally.
Alcohol-related harm is a cross-border public health challenge in Southern Africa, contributing significantly to injuries, violence, and non-communicable diseases. National-level responses are often insufficient, as alcohol industry influence, policy gaps, and marketing practices extend beyond national borders. Regional solidarity and coordinated action are therefore essential to advancing evidence-informed reforms and protecting vulnerable populations. This presentation examines the role of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) in building and sustaining regional advocacy networks that strengthen collective action, promote knowledge exchange, and influence alcohol policy reform across multiple countries.
METHODS:
SAAPA’s regional approach includes coordinated advocacy campaigns across member countries, such as World No Alcohol Day initiatives, knowledge-sharing platforms that integrate research evidence, policy analysis, and community experiences, including findings from the multi-country study on alcohol availability and its relationship to gender-based violence as well as strategic partnerships with media practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to amplify public health messaging, supported through regional media engagement dialogues
RESULTS:
Regional collaboration has increased the visibility of alcohol harm reduction within public health agendas and strengthened the capacity of civil society organizations to collectively counter industry interference. Member organizations report improved coordination, shared learning, and greater influence in national and regional policy spaces.
CONCLUSIONS:
Cross-border collaboration through SAAPA demonstrates the value of regional advocacy networks in advancing alcohol harm reduction. By fostering solidarity, sharing knowledge, and coordinating strategic advocacy, SAAPA strengthens governance and helps ensure that public health priorities take precedence over commercial interests. This model offers important lessons for regional public health movements globally.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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