Externalities from Alcohol Consumption in the 2005 US National Alcohol Survey: Implications for Policy

• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph6123205
• Publication Date: 2009-12-11T16:33:01Z
• Authors: Thomas K. Greenfield; Yu Ye; William Kerr; Jason Bond; Jürgen Rehm; Norman Giesbrecht
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Domestic Violence; Adolescent; Alcohol Drinking; externalities; alcohol consumption; heavy drinking; population survey; impact; policy; economics; cost; environment; US; Risk Assessment; Article; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Risk Factors; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Humans; Data Collection; Health Policy; Accidents, Traffic; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Alcoholism; Logistic Models; Multivariate Analysis; Female; Crime; Public Health

A subsample (n = 2,550) of the 2005 US National Alcohol Survey of adults was used to estimate prevalence and correlates of six externalities from alcohol abuse—family problems, assaults, accompanying intoxicated driver, vehicular accident, financial problems and vandalized property—all from another‘s drinking. On a lifetime basis, 60% reported externalities, with a lower 12-month rate (9%). Women reported more family/marital and financial impacts and men more assaults, accompanying drunk drivers, and accidents. Being unmarried, older, white and ever having monthly heavy drinking or alcohol problems was associated with more alcohol externalities. Publicizing external costs of drinking could elevate political will for effective alcohol controls.