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

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

doi:10.3390/ijerph6123205

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.

Highlights

Externalities from alcohol consumption may be considered to be the burdens that fall upon others rather than the individuals choosing to drink
Externalities in the last 12 months were reported by many fewer individuals, with about 9% experiencing at least one problem from others‘ drinking
With regard to ethnic/racial differences, whites and other ethnic/racial groups reported a higher rate of 2+ externalities over their lives (36%) than non-Hispanic blacks (28%) and Hispanics (26%)

Summary

Introduction

Externalities from alcohol consumption may be considered to be the burdens that fall upon others rather than the individuals choosing to drink. Such externalities may be inflicted upon other individuals or upon society at large—for example when a person‘s property is destroyed by someone else who is drunk, or when indigents injured by their drinking must be cared for in an emergency department or trauma center, with costs transferred to the public. For example Pogue and Sgontz [1] note: ―An individual‘s demand for alcohol will reflect the extent to which he perceives and takes account of internal abuse costs‖

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