CITIZENS RALLYING FOR CHANGE ON ALCOHOL

Red dots represent locations where there are more bars than grocery stores, based on results from the Google Maps API. 

Wisconsin has one of the highest rates of alcohol outlet density in the US.  On average, there are 16,764 licensed establishments in Wisconsin, approximately one per every 172 people (the national average is one for every 1,400 people).

Alcohol outlets are places where alcohol is sold, either to drink on the premises (on-sale outlets) or off the property (off-sale outlets).

Alcohol outlet density indicates the number of physical locations where alcohol is sold per population or geographic area 1 such as a square mile, census tract, or city block. 

OUTLET DENSITY AND ALCOHOL-RELATED HARM

1. Increasing outlet density makes it easier for drinkers to obtain alcohol.

2. When outlet density increases, alcohol consumption increases.

3. Alcohol outlet density is the single greatest predictor of violent crime in neighborhoods, greater than other social and economic factors.

4. Cirrhosis deaths, suicide, and assaults all increase when alcohol outlet density increases.

5. Suicide rates among boys between 15 and 19 years of age have been shown to increase by up to 12 percent when outlet density increases.

6. Areas with more retail alcohol outlets have been found to have higher rates of child abuse.

7. Areas with more bars have been found to have higher rates of child neglect.

Concerned about the alcohol outlet density in your community?  Get involved. Join your community alcohol coalition.  You and they will be glad you did.