Impact of banning alcohol on outpatient visits in Barrow, Alaska.
BACKGROUND
Community availability of alcohol affects alcohol consumption patterns and alcohol-related health and social problems. In Barrow, Alaska, an isolated community at the northernmost reaches of the United States, during a 33-month period, possession and importation of alcohol were legal, completely banned, made legal again, and then banned again.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of these public policy changes on alcohol-related outpatient visits at the area hospital.


METHODS
Retrospective review of outpatient records; time-series analysis of alcohol-related visits with respect to community alcohol policy.


METHODS
Total monthly outpatient visits for alcohol-related problems.


RESULTS
There was a substantial decrease in the number of alcohol-related outpatient visits when the ban on possession and importation was imposed compared with baseline. When the ban was lifted, outpatient visits increased; when the ban was reimposed, the number of outpatient visits again decreased. Interrupted time-series analyses confirm that the alcohol ban, its lifting, and its reimposition had a statistically significant and negative effect on the number of alcohol-related outpatient visits (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
In a geographically isolated community, the prohibition of alcohol can be an effective public health intervention, reducing the health problems associated with alcohol use.
Chiu
A Y
AY
North Slope Borough Physician Services, Barrow, Alaska, USA.
Perez
P E
PE
Parker
R N
RN
D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies