Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109366

Richard Scribner, MD, MPH, School of Public Health, Epidemiology Program, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 1600 Canal Street, Suite 800, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-599-1396, rscrib@lsuhsc.edu

This presentation will review the studies that establish a geographic relationship between the physical availability of alcohol and a number of alcohol related outcomes including mortality, assault, homicide, STDs, and traffic fatalities. The difference between on-premise and off-premise license types and their impact on alcohol related health consequences will be described. In addition, one study shows that the physical presence of alcohol outlets is associated with group norms, attitudes and expectations regarding alcohol, as well as drinking behaviors. Land use control policies and other social controls have been found to reduce alcohol-related health consequences. Several studies that illustrate the principles of applying environmental interventions to alcohol, including an effort to address the over concentration of alcohol outlets in problem neighborhoods and efforts on college campuses will be reviewed. Policy changes include; 1) license fees changes, 2) expanded disciplinary power for Alcohol Control Agencies, 3) additional enforcement personnel, and 4) specific prohibitions of types of alcohol sales (i.e., windows sales ban). Environmental interventions incorporating policies to address the alcohol outlets locations and practices can reduce alcohol related morbidity and mortality.

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Understand the geographic relationship between alcohol outlet density and a growing number of alcohol related outcomes.
• 2) Understand the nature of various types of environmental interventions to reduce the physical availability of alcohol.

Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Alcohol

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.