Alcohol outlet density and alcohol-related hospital admissions in England: a geographical analysis

Conclusion This study provides a detailed, large-scale picture of the relationship between the shape of the alcohol market in local areas and the levels of alcohol-related hospital admissions in those areas.  It suggests that there is a relationship, and that it is marked especially where there is a high density of any on-trade outlets or licensed convenience stores.  It suggests that this relationship is largely the same for men and women, and applies is a similar fashion irrespective of the relative affluence of a given area. It also suggests that while alcohol outlet density is already high across England, increasing that density may lead to increased hospital admissions.  In other words, there isn’t a point beyond which further increases in density cease to matter.  Local licensing decisions may have an impact not only on the local economy, or on rates of crime and disorder, but on the health of the local population and the burden on local hospitals. It is increasingly clear that this is an impact local authorities should consider, and factor into their decisions using the best available evidence. Further Information Corresponding author: Professor Ravi Maheswaran Public Health GIS Unit, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield S1 4DA, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1142220681 Fax: +44 ...
Source: Alcohol Research UK - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Alcohol Insights Source Type: news