Barbershop Talk: Reducing Excessive Alcohol Consumption Among Black Men

Socially disadvantaged Black men are at increased risk for unhealthy drinking habits that may, in turn, increase preventable chronic disease. This project seeks to test the effectiveness of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) intervention for use within barbershop settings to reduce average drinking days and the number of unhealthy drinking days. Data from this study will further our understanding of how to reduce the risk of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality among Black men. Data will also improve our understanding of strategies that can improve the implementation of evidence-based care models in non-clinical settings; thus, extending the reach of evidence-based care to communities with the highest need.

Each intervention barbershop, will hold screening days, where a trained community health worker will be onsite to provide Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT).

Six months after completion of Time 1, barbershops in the usual-care arm will receive the intervention.

Low risk individuals will receive an educational pamphlet about alcohol use and the impact on health. Moderate Risk individuals will receive a brief alcohol intervention. High risk individuals will receive the brief alcohol intervention and be referred to specialty treatment.

The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.

The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.

The PHQ-9 is the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (a diagnostic instrument for common mental disorders), which scores each of the 9 DSM-IV criteria as "0" (not at all) to "3" (nearly every day). The PHQ9 will be used for this outcome.

Inclusion Criteria: self-identify as Black aged 18 or older low income as defined by any indicator (e.g., Medicaid; Earned Income Tax Credit; Children's Health Insurance Plan; subsidized housing; child care subsidies; food stamps; low-income energy assistance; free/reduced lunch program; supplemental nutrition program; Head Start program). Exclusion Criteria: -