AIMS: To assess changes in alcohol consumption attributable to the Great Hanshin Earthquake to test the assumption that alcohol consumption increases after natural disasters. METHODS: Quarterly alcohol sales figures were compared for three periods: before, immediately after and subsequent to the Great Hanshin Earthquake in three areas of the Hyogo prefecture: the severely affected area, the moderately affected area and the unaffected area. Possible confounding by population movement, damage to retail outlets and normal variation in sales, was assessed. FINDINGS: The quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed in the heavily damaged areas as well as throughout the prefecture decreased from the 1994 pre-disaster level, both immediately after the Great Hanshin Earthquake (January-March 1995) and 2 years after the disaster. This finding remained once possible confounding factors were taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be placed on drinking in the cultural context where a disaster occurs. It may sometimes deter, rather than encourage, drinking among the affected population.
AIMS: To assess changes in alcohol consumption attributable to the Great Hanshin Earthquake to test the assumption that alcohol consumption increases after natural disasters. METHODS: Quarterly alcohol sales figures were compared for three periods: before, immediately after and subsequent to the Great Hanshin Earthquake in three areas of the Hyogo prefecture: the severely affected area, the moderately affected area and the unaffected area. Possible confounding by population movement, damage to retail outlets and normal variation in sales, was assessed. FINDINGS: The quantity of alcoholic beverages consumed in the heavily damaged areas as well as throughout the prefecture decreased from the 1994 pre-disaster level, both immediately after the Great Hanshin Earthquake (January-March 1995) and 2 years after the disaster. This finding remained once possible confounding factors were taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: More attention should be placed on drinking in the cultural context where a disaster occurs. It may sometimes deter, rather than encourage, drinking among the affected population.
Authors: Jessica M Peirce; Robert K Brooner; Ken Kolodner; Rebecca L Schacht; Michael S Kidorf Journal: Addiction Date: 2012-10-05 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Ricky N Bluthenthal; Deborah A Cohen; Thomas A Farley; Richard Scribner; Christopher Beighley; Matthias Schonlau; Paul L Robinson Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2008-01-29 Impact factor: 3.671