As previously noted, we regularly scan eleven journals for new studies of particular population health relevance (the list of journals is at the end of this post). Two recent articles caught our eye:
The Economic Gains of Achieving Reduced Alcohol Consumption Targets for Australia.
While the health and societal consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are well established, the positive economic impacts of reducing alcohol consumption are seldom addressed. This article (Magnus et al. American Journal of Public Health. Ahead of Print.Doi: 10.2105) systematically estimates these impacts for Australia. This country consumes 9.6 liters per capita annually, estimated to contribute 2.3% to overall health burden. Using Norway’s level of 6.4 liters per capita as a benchmark of what might be realistically achieved, the authors estimated the following results: one third fewer incident cases of disease (98 000), deaths (380), working days lost (5 million), days of home-based production lost (54 000), and a A$789-million health sector cost reduction. The authors claim that these results can be potentially larger than gains through targeted reductions in smoking prevalence modeled in a similar process. Australia provides an interesting focal point for this study, as the nation has both historically been socially accepting of alcohol yet has prevalent and effective policy countermeasures. The authors conclude that “a suitable next step would be a consideration of cost-effective interventions and attention to stakeholder concerns to facilitate such a reduction in excessive alcohol consumption.”
Continue reading "In the Literature: Alcohol Consumption Targets, Diet Cost" »