title: A population-based study of premature mortality in relation to neighbourhood density of alcohol sales and cheque cashing outlets in Toronto, Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alcohol overuse and poverty, each associated with premature death, often exist within disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Cheque cashing places (CCPs) may be opportunistically placed in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, where customers abound. We explored whether neighbourhood density of CCPs and alcohol outlets are each related to premature mortality among adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  140 neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario, 2005-2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults aged 20-59 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our primary outcome was premature all-cause mortality among adults aged 20-59 years. Across neighbourhoods we explored neighbourhood density, in km(2), of CCPs and alcohol outlets, and the relation of each to premature mortality. Poisson regression provided adjusted relative risks (aRRs) and 95% CIs, adjusting for material deprivation quintile (Q), crime Q and number of banks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intentional self-harm, accidental poisoning and liver disease were among the top five causes of premature death among males aged 20-59 years. The overall premature mortality rate was 96.3/10,000 males and 55.9/10,000 females. Comparing the highest versus lowest CCP density Q, the aRR for death was 1.25 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.36) among males and 1.11 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.24) among females. The corresponding aRR comparing the highest Q versus lowest Q alcohol outlet density in relation to premature mortality was 1.36 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.48) for males and 1.11 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.24) for females. The pattern of the relation between either CCPs or alcohol outlet density and premature mortality was typically J shaped.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a J-shaped relation between CCP or alcohol outlet density and premature mortality, even on controlling for conventional measures of poverty. Formal banking and alcohol reduction strategies might be added to health promotion policies aimed at reducing premature mortality in highly affected neighbourhoods.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Flora I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Maria Isabella
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Creatore
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gozdyra
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Joel G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ray
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061213:Mortality, Premature; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol sales, ethanol, bars; Cheque cashing outlets; Cheque cashing places; Gender; Poverty; Premature mortality