University of Miami and Autonomous University of Zacatecas are both committed to the prevention of youth alcohol consumption through educational and cultural exchange. There are three main areas of collaboration, as expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding: (1) mechanisms by which the University of Miami can assist, consult, and collaborate on educational trainings, intervention delivery, and research initiatives in Zacatecas; (2) mechanisms by which both universities can facilitate and encourage exchange of their respective faculty members and students; and (3) mechanisms by which the universities can co-sponsor new research projects.

Businesses That Care (Empresas Que Se Cuidan) is an initiative of the University of Miami and the Autonomous University Zacatecas, with the support of the Zacatecas business community and Grupo Modelo (brewery and distributors) that brings local businesses together to work for the prevention of harmful alcohol use among young people in the community. The goal of this preventive intervention is “to accomplish the improvement of the health and safety of our children and adolescents through evidence-based programs that focus on improving communication, family bonds, and decision-making by youth and their families,” expressed Dr. Brown.

Businesses That Care has two adjacent programs: Tomando Buenas Decisiones, which is the adapted Mexican version of Guiding Good Choices (GGC), and AHORA (Aprendiendo a Dar Oportunidades, Habilidades y Reconocimiento a los Adolescentes or Learning to Give Opportunities, Skills and Recognition to Adolescents).

Tomando Buenas Decisiones is a six-session program that teaches parents of children between the ages of 8 and 16 how to reduce the risk of their children developing alcohol problems. Similarly, AHORA is a preventive intervention that establishes its components in adolescents’ lives while helping them pave clear standards and healthy behaviors through bonding with positive role models.

With the signed Memorandum of Understanding, both the University of Miami and Autonomous University of Zacatecas, aspire to continue exploring future collaborations given their coinciding interest in developing and implementing cutting-edge knowledge and technology for the advancement of public health in Latin America.

Written by Deycha Torres Hernández

Published on April 27, 2022