A new scale of the U.S. alcohol policy environment and its relationship to binge drinking.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Of outcomes related to excessive drinking, binge drinking accounts for approximately half of alcohol-attributable deaths, two thirds of years of potential life lost, and three fourths of economic costs. The extent to which the alcohol policy environment accounts for differences in binge drinking in U.S. states is unknown.

Purpose

The goal of the study was to describe the development of an Alcohol Policy Scale (APS) designed to measure the aggregate state-level alcohol policy environment in the U.S. and assess the relationship of APS scores to state-level adult binge drinking prevalence in U.S. states.

Methods

Policy efficacy and implementation ratings were developed with assistance from a panel of policy experts. Data on 29 policies in 50 states and Washing

SUBMITTER: Naimi TS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3878154 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature