Does alcohol outlet density affect youth access to alcohol?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how community alcohol outlet density may be associated with alcohol access among adolescents.


METHODS
Data were collected through a three-wave panel study with youth aged 14-16 at baseline using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Study participants were recruited from 50 zip codes with varying alcohol outlet density and median household income in California. Data analyses were conducted using multilevel, linear growth models and data from 1028 youth (52% male, 51% white).


RESULTS
After taking into account individual-level factors and zip code median household income, zip code alcohol outlet density was significantly and positively related to the initial levels of the likelihood and frequency of getting alcohol through various sources including commercial outlets, shoulder tapping, home or family members, and underage acquaintances.


CONCLUSIONS
High levels of alcohol outlets in the community enable youth access to alcohol through commercial outlets, family, and social networks.
Chen
Meng-Jinn
MJ
Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 1995 University Avenue, Suite 450, Berkeley, CA 94704, USA. mengjinn@prev.org
Gruenewald
Paul J
PJ
Remer
Lillian G
LG
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D002140:California; D003132:Commerce; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male