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. 2009 Dec;6(12):3205-24.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph6123205. Epub 2009 Dec 11.

Externalities from alcohol consumption in the 2005 US National Alcohol Survey: implications for policy

Thomas K Greenfield  1 , Yu Ye, William Kerr, Jason Bond, Jürgen Rehm, Norman Giesbrecht
Affiliations

Externalities from alcohol consumption in the 2005 US National Alcohol Survey: implications for policy

Thomas K Greenfield et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2009 Dec.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: US; alcohol consumption; cost; economics; environment; externalities; heavy drinking; impact; policy; population survey.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Prevalence of Individual Lifetime Externalities (a) by Gender; (b) by Ethnicity.
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