Christopher Morrison1,2, William R Ponicki2, Karen Smith1,3,4. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 2. Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, USA. 3. Strategic Planning Department, Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. 4. School of Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Greater concentrations of off-premise alcohol outlets are found in areas of social disadvantage, exposing disadvantaged populations to excess risk for problems such as assault, child abuse and intimate partner violence. This study examines whether the outlets to which they are exposed also sell cheaper alcohol, potentially further contributing to income-related health disparities. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted unobtrusive observations in 295 off-premise outlets in Melbourne, Australia, randomly selected using a spatial sample frame. In semi-logged linear regression models, we related the minimum purchase price for a 750 mL bottle of wine to a national index of socioeconomic advantage for the census areas in which the outlets were located. Other independent variables characterised outlet features (e.g. volume, chain management) and conditions of the local alcohol market (adjacent outlet characteristics, neighbourhood characteristics). RESULTS: A one decile increase in socioeconomic advantage was related to a 1.3% increase in logged price. Larger outlets, chains, outlets adjacent to chains, outlets in greater proximity to the nearest neighbouring outlet and those located in areas with more students also had cheaper alcohol. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Not only are disadvantaged populations exposed to more outlets, the outlets to which they are exposed sell cheaper alcohol. This finding appears to be consistent with the spatial dynamics of typical retail markets.
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Greater concentrations of off-premise alcohol outlets are found in areas of social disadvantage, exposing disadvantaged populations to excess risk for problems such as assault, child abuse and intimate partner violence. This study examines whether the outlets to which they are exposed also sell cheaper alcohol, potentially further contributing to income-related health disparities. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted unobtrusive observations in 295 off-premise outlets in Melbourne, Australia, randomly selected using a spatial sample frame. In semi-logged linear regression models, we related the minimum purchase price for a 750 mL bottle of wine to a national index of socioeconomic advantage for the census areas in which the outlets were located. Other independent variables characterised outlet features (e.g. volume, chain management) and conditions of the local alcohol market (adjacent outlet characteristics, neighbourhood characteristics). RESULTS: A one decile increase in socioeconomic advantage was related to a 1.3% increase in logged price. Larger outlets, chains, outlets adjacent to chains, outlets in greater proximity to the nearest neighbouring outlet and those located in areas with more students also had cheaper alcohol. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Not only are disadvantaged populations exposed to more outlets, the outlets to which they are exposed sell cheaper alcohol. This finding appears to be consistent with the spatial dynamics of typical retail markets.
Authors: Ethan M Berke; Susanne E Tanski; Eugene Demidenko; Jennifer Alford-Teaster; Xun Shi; James D Sargent Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2010-08-19 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Tim Stockwell; Jinhui Zhao; Gina Martin; Scott Macdonald; Kate Vallance; Andrew Treno; William Ponicki; Andrew Tu; Jane Buxton Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-04-18 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Stephen J Mooney; Michael D M Bader; Gina S Lovasi; Kathryn M Neckerman; Julien O Teitler; Andrew G Rundle Journal: Am J Epidemiol Date: 2014-08-13 Impact factor: 4.897
Authors: Andrew J Treno; William R Ponicki; Tim Stockwell; Scott Macdonald; Paul J Gruenewald; Jinhui Zhao; Gina Martin; Alissa Greer Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2013-01-14 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Christopher Morrison; Magdalena Cerdá; Dennis M Gorman; Paul J Gruenewald; Christina F Mair; Timothy S Naimi; Richard Scribner; Tim Stockwell; Traci L Toomey; William F Wieczorek Journal: Drug Alcohol Rev Date: 2015-10-09