Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Karen Trocki, PhD, Thomas Greenfield, PhD, Laurence Michalak, PhD, and Kirsten Piroth, MPhil. Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Bay Center Bldg C, Suite 400, 6475 Christie Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608, 510-642-5208, ktrocki@arg.org

Introduction: Bars (defined to include taverns, pubs and clubs) are an understudied but important social context for the epidemiological study of drinking. Using four surveys from the National Alcohol Survey (1984, 1995, 2000 and 2005) this paper reviews trends in bar patronage over two decades. Research questions addressed include: What are the long-term trends in bar patronage? Is average consumption in bars declining or growing? What trends are there in patron profiles? Results: The data indicate that bar patronage declined between 1984 and 1995 but then rose by 2000 and maintained that gain in 2005; the percentage of the population going to bars frequently (defined as once a month or more) declined from 18 percent in 1984 to 14 percent in 1995 but increased to 17 percent by 2000 remaining at that level in 2005. Among those who go to bars frequently, men were found to drink an average of 3.7 drinks per occasion in the two earlier studies, dropping over time to 3.2 by 2005; for women, average per occasion drinking dropped from 3.0 in 1984 to 2.3 drinks in 2005. However, adults in their early twenties (particularly women) showed a sharp increase in patronage in 2000 and 2005 compared to the two earlier surveys. Conclusion: It is important that these trends in increased patronage of bars be carefully monitored. People who socialize in such environments from a young age could be drawn into more extreme patterns of drinking.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe changes over time in patronage of bars and drinking patterns within them.
• Recognize the profiles of individuals at risk for heavy episodic drinking within such contexts.
• Identify possible prevention steps for reducing the negative impact of such environments.

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Risk Behavior

Related Web page: www.arg.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation