title: The state sets the rate: the relationship among state-specific college binge drinking, state binge drinking rates, and selected state alcohol control policies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the relationship between college binge drinking, binge drinking in the general population, and selected alcohol control policies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed binge drinking rates from 2 national surveys, the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Binge drinking data were linked to a summary measure of 7 salient alcohol control policies and a rating of resources devoted to law enforcement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  State-level college and adult binge drinking rates were strongly correlated (Pearson correlation coefficient=0.43; P<.01). Attending college in states with the lowest binge drinking rates (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.41, 0.97) and presence of more stringent alcohol control policies (adjusted OR=0.57; 95% CI=0.33, 0.97) were independent predictors of student binge drinking, after adjusting for state law enforcement and individual-, college-, and state-level covariates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  State of residence is a predictor of binge drinking by college students. State-level alcohol control policies may help reduce binge drinking among college students and in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Harvard School of Public Health, Landmark Center, Rm 445-B, 401 Park Dr, Boston, MA 02215, USA. tnelson@hsph.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Toben F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Timothy S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Naimi
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wechsler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006291:Health Policy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration*
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol
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