Influencing Public Health Policy through Action-Oriented Research: A Case Study of Lysol Abuse in Alberta

Conventional approaches to health policy research have been criticized for generating findings of limited practical utility. In response to this concern, alternative research approaches have been developed which are more “action-oriented.” Using an action-oriented approach, the problem of Lysol abuse in Alberta was examined. Lysol, a household disinfectant, is consumed by chronic alcoholics for its alcohol content. The results of the study indicated that, because of Lysol's price and availability, several hundred individuals in the inner city of Alberta's capital drink the disinfectant on a regular basis. The release of these findings appear to have influenced a number of subsequent policy developments, including the introduction of new provincial legislation to regulate Lysol sales. These developments have had a positive effect in reducing the magnitude of the Lysol abuse problem. The results of this case study suggest that action-oriented research can be a useful technique.