The Link Between Per Capita Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Harm in Sweden, 1987–2015

• Objective:Recent studies have suggested a weakening of the relationship between population drinking and harm in Sweden. The aim of the present article was to estimate this association on the basis of more recent Swedish time-series data.Method:The Swedish state monopoly’s (Systembolaget) alcohol sales were used as a proxy for population drinking, expressed in liters 100% alcohol per capita ages 15 and older. As indicators of harm we used mortality (cirrhosis mortality, accidents, and suicide), police-reported assaults, and drink driving. Quarterly data on mortality and alcohol consumption spanned the period 1987Q1–2015Q1, and the data on police-reported offenses covered the period 1995Q1–2015Q1. Data were analyzed by applying the technique of seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) modeling.Results:We found a positive and statistically significant association between population drinking and all harm indicators. A 1 L increase in per capita consumption was associated with a 19% increase in cirrhosis mortality and a 17% increase in drink driving. The effects on the other harm rates were estimated to be between 11% and 13%. These estimates are in line with earlier findings except the estimate for cirrhosis, which was weaker and now similar to findings for other countries.Conclusions:The results provide continuing support for a strong relationship between population drinking and alcohol-related harm in Sweden. Policy measures aimed at lowering the level of drinking gained support from these results.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Sociologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Sociology (hsv//eng)

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Sociology

sociologi

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