The frequency of undergraduate drinking and high-risk drinking at the University of Iowa is at its lowest point in more than 25 years, according to the latest National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey.
Compared to data from 2009, high-risk drinking at the UI has decreased by 28 percent, the number of undergraduates drinking 10 or more days a month has decreased by 48 percent, and undergraduates now consume an average of two fewer drinks per occasion. The NCHA survey measures high-risk drinking as consuming five or more drinks on one occasion in the last two weeks.
Since spring 2016, the number of surveyed undergraduates drinking 10 or more days in the last month has dropped from 23.2 percent to 19 percent, surpassing a goal set by the UI Alcohol Harm Reduction Advisory Committee (AHRC) in the 2016–2019 Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan. The plan set the target of reducing the number of undergrads drinking 10 or more days in the last month to 20 percent by 2019.
UI Student Health and Wellness conducts NCHA surveys annually to collect anonymous data on undergraduate health practices, behaviors, and perceptions. In 2016, the AHRC reported that UI undergraduates drink more and experience more negative consequences from consuming alcohol than the national average, but since forming the AHRC in 2009, the UI has made significant progress in reducing harmful drinking and its negative effects.
“I’d like to thank the Alcohol Harm Reduction Advisory Committee for their steady and fruitful work at addressing this campus issue,” says Melissa Shivers, vice president for student life. “While this latest report shows our progress, it also shows us that there is work still to be done nurturing a healthier culture to maximize student success.”
The 2016–2019 Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan outlines goals and research-supported strategies for reducing drinking and its harmful effects. These include individual interventions, such as the Health Risk Assessment targeting sophomores and Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS). The plan also outlines community approaches, such as engaging parents during student orientations and the Partnership for Alcohol Safety, a partnership between Iowa City government, police, businesses, and the university.
The university set two other targets for 2019: reduce the number of students engaging in high-risk drinking from 50.9 percent to 49 percent and reduce the average number of drinks consumed by students per occasion from 5.3 to 4.
According to the UI’s spring survey, the percent of UI undergraduates who reported engaging in high-risk drinking in the previous two weeks has remained steady this past year and is reported as 50.5 percent. Similarly unchanged, the average number of drinks consumed per occasion is reported at 5.4.
“Changing how students perceive and engage with drinking really takes a village, so it’s important that parents, the community at large, and the students themselves participate in these efforts,” says Tanya Villhauer, UI associate director for harm reduction and strategic initiatives. “High-risk drinking isn’t inherent to being a Hawkeye, and with everyone’s help, we can continue to make progress on improving the undergraduate experience and giving students the best chance for success.”
This summer, the UI’s Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils convened a task force to address high-risk drinking and its negative effects in the fraternity and sorority community. IFC and PHC presidents placed a permanent ban on out-of-town formals and an immediate moratorium on events with alcohol in May.
Read the 2016–2019 Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan.