How could an effective podcast about alcohol use be designed and evaluated? A review of the literature

Nearly one quarter of Americans use alcohol in a risky manner. Most of the alcohol use interventions recommended by the CDC’s Community Guide are environmental; few evidence-based approaches attempt to address alcohol use on an individual or interpersonal level. Podcasting is a cost-effective communication tool whose potential impact for public health has been widely touted. The aim of this study was to answer the following research question: “How could an effective podcast about alcohol use be designed and evaluated?” Literature and guidelines related to health and science podcasts for popular consumption were reviewed. No literature specific to alcohol use and podcasts were located. According to peer-reviewed and gray literature, health podcasting is feasible and cost-effective, although it may be time-consuming. Of particular note is the importance of entertaining the target audience. Humor and the use of narrative can contribute to the entertainment value of a podcast. Podcasts can be evaluated for their impact at the individual or interpersonal level. Knowledge gain, attitude shift, and behavior change are all individual-level metrics, whereas information-sharing and the proliferation of “podologues” (conversation based the podcast) can indicate an interpersonal effect. Although the review concluded that there is insufficient formative research to design a podcast to reduce risky drinking, it identified a number of design and evaluation tools that may prove useful for podcasting about alcohol use and other health behaviors. It also outlined a rationale for podcasting about alcohol use and a research agenda to guide the development of an efficacious podcast to address risky alcohol use. A quick guide to podcasting about alcohol use is included as an appendix. Statement of public health relevance: Alcohol use has a profound effect on health. It is responsible for one in 10 deaths among working age Americans and more than one in three Americans say alcohol has been a source of trouble in their family. A research-based approach to podcasting may create cost-effective alcohol use interventions that impact the individual and social level of the social ecological model