The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54414

Chad Aaron Bousman, BS, MPH (c)¹, Marc Anthony Adams, BA, MPH (c)¹, Susan C Duerksen, BA, MPH(c)¹, Patricia A Miller, BS, MPH (c)¹, K. Michael Peddecord, DrPH², and Melbourne F. Hovell, PhD, MPH³. (1) San Diego State University, 5484 Reservior Dr. #B9, San Diego, CA 92120, 619-229-1457, chadbousman@hotmail.com, (2) San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 120, San Diego, CA 92123, (3) Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92123

The relationship between alcohol consumption and crime is well established, as is the correlation between alcohol use and other social ills. These relationships traditionally have been approached from the individual level, but a few research teams have begun to explore environmental factors related to alcohol availability and crime rates. In this study, zip codes (n=33) within the San Diego, California, city limits with available crime and alcohol licensure data were studied to determine the impact of alcohol outlet density on criminal behavior. The Bureau of the Census provided demographic variables such as median income and number of residents over age 65. Property, violent, and total crime prevalence rates by zip code were calculated per 1,000 residents. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were fit to determine how much variance in total crime, property crime and violent crime can be associated with the density of liquor licenses within zip code areas. Results revealed significant associations between number of licenses and total, property and violent crime that remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and median income of each zip code. These findings indicate that the density of alcohol licenses may be a determinant of the total crime level in a neighborhood.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to discuss the impact of liquor license density on criminal behavior and apply this knowledge to future interventions.

Keywords: Alcohol, Crime

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.