São Paulo City Hall Launches 'Modera SP' Digital Tool to Combat Risky Drinking

Introduction to 'Modera SP'

The São Paulo City Hall has officially launched 'Modera SP,' a pioneering digital tool aimed at assisting residents in reducing risky alcohol consumption. Unveiled in April 2024, the initiative is part of the city's broader public health efforts to promote conscious drinking and prevent alcohol-related harms. The tool is accessible through the existing e-saúdeSP application, making it readily available to a wide segment of the population across Brazil's largest city.

Assessing Consumption and Personalized Guidance

At the core of 'Modera SP' is the AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) questionnaire, a globally recognized assessment developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Users answer ten questions that evaluate their drinking patterns, categorizing their risk level from 1 to 4. Based on this assessment, the tool provides personalized guidance and educational content tailored to the individual's risk profile. A key feature is the virtual assistant named Susana, an homage to Brazil's public health system (SUS), which accompanies users throughout their journey, offering information, breathing techniques, and alternative activities to alcohol consumption.

Support and Intervention Mechanisms

'Modera SP' empowers users to actively manage their alcohol intake by allowing them to track consumption, set reduction or cessation goals, and monitor their progress through a weekly diary. For individuals identified with a high-risk consumption level (level 4), the system automatically notifies their reference Basic Health Unit (UBS). This triggers a clinical intervention process, which may include individual counseling, group activities, or referral to a CAPS Álcool e Drogas (Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs), ensuring comprehensive support. Furthermore, the platform has been enhanced with a new functionality specifically designed to educate and guide individuals under 18 years old about the dangers of alcohol use.

Impact and Public Health Significance

Since its launch, 'Modera SP' has demonstrated significant engagement. As of July 26, 2025, the platform recorded over 112,870 accesses, with 73,891 registered users and 25,664 completed AUDIT evaluations. By March 29, 2025, the program had identified more than 1,000 individuals with risky alcohol consumption levels, leading to over 200 patients being contacted and integrated into follow-up care by municipal health services. The development of 'Modera SP' involved a partnership between a scientific committee from the University of São Paulo (USP) and Auíri, and it aligns with WHO recommendations for screening and brief intervention as effective strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm.