The Role of Alcohol Policies in Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: A Review of the Literature

Objective

This article summarizes existing research on the relationship between alcohol policies and intimate partner violence (IPV). Because alcohol represents an important risk factor for IPV, interventions and policies aimed at decreasing problem drinking may also lead to reductions in IPV.

Method

Electronic databases were searched to identify relevant peer-reviewed journal articles on alcohol policies and IPV, as well as reference sections of appropriate articles. Only policies that have been studied specifically for impact on IPV were included.

Results

Three alcohol policy areas (outlet density, hours and days of sale, pricing/taxation) had been studied in relation to IPV outcomes. Research on outlet density had the most consistent findings, with most studies indicating that higher densities of alcohol outlets are associated with higher rates of IPV. Fewer studies had been conducted on pricing policies and policies restricting hours/days of sale, with most studies suggesting no impact on IPV rates.

Conclusions

Higher density of alcohol outlets appears to be associated with greater rates of IPV. However, there is limited evidence suggesting that alcohol pricing policies and restrictions on hours/days of sale are associated with IPV outcomes. Knowledge about the impact of alcohol-related policies on IPV and violence in general is limited by several significant research gaps. Additional research is needed to assess the impact of alcohol policies on IPV and other forms of violence.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/i1pHB6

By:  Megan C. Kearns, PhD, Dennis E. Reidy, PhD, and Linda Anne Valle, PhD

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention

Corresponding Author: Megan Kearns, Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-64, Atlanta, GA 30341, Phone: 770-488-1230, Email: vog.cdc@8itw

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Increasing Maryland's Alcohol Sales Tax Reduced Sexually Transmitted Infections

Introduction

Sexually transmitted infections are common causes of morbidity and mortality, including infertility and certain types of cancer. Alcohol tax increases may decrease sexually transmitted infection rates overall and differentially across population subgroups by decreasing alcohol consumption in general and prior to sex, thus decreasing sexual risk taking and sexually transmitted infection acquisition. This study investigated the effects of a Maryland increase in alcohol beverage sales tax on statewide gonorrhea and chlamydia rates overall and within age, gender, and race/ethnicity subpopulations.

Methods

This study used an interrupted time series design, including multiple cross-state comparisons, to examine the effects of the 2011 alcohol tax increase in Maryland on chlamydia and gonorrhea cases reported to the U.S. National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System for January 2003 to December 2012 (N=120 repeated monthly observations, analyzed in 2015). Effects were assessed with Box−Jenkins autoregressive moving average models with structural parameters.

Results

After the alcohol-specific sales tax increase, gonorrhea rates decreased 24% (95% CI=11%, 37%), resulting in 1,600 fewer statewide gonorrhea cases annually. Cohen’s d indicated a substantial effect of the tax increase on gonorrhea rates (range across control group models, −1.25 to −1.42). The study did not find evidence of an effect on chlamydia or differential effects across age, race/ethnicity, or gender subgroups.

Conclusions

Results strengthen the evidence from prior studies of alcohol taxes influencing gonorrhea rates and extend health prevention effects from alcohol excise to sales taxes. Alcohol tax increases may be an efficient strategy for reducing sexually transmitted infections.

Below:  Monthly gonorrhea rates in Maryland and comparison groups from 2003 to 2012

Below:  Monthly chlamydia rates in Maryland and comparison groups from 2003 to 2012

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/yiZBTi

By:   Stephanie A.S. Staras, PhD, Melvin D. Livingston, PhD, Alexander C. Wagenaar, PhD

Affiliations

• Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, College of Medicine, and the Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Correspondence

• Address correspondence to: Stephanie A. S. Staras, PhD, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Health Outcomes and Policy, 2004 Mowry Road, Room 2238, Gainesville FL 32610

 

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