Using a Syndromic Surveillance System to Evaluate the Impact of a Change in Alcohol Law

Authors

  • Julia A. Dilley
  • Atar Baer
  • Jeff Duchin
  • Julie E. Maher

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v7i1.5736

Abstract

In 2011, Washington State voters passed an initiative which closed state liquor stores and opened private sector liquor sales. We examined trends in alcohol-related emergency department (ED) visits associated with this law change. Data were from the King County syndromic surveillance system. Alcohol-related ED visits were identified using chief complaint search strings and diagnosis codes. We used a linear regression model with a spline at the date of law change and controlled for other factors. Significant increases in alcohol-related ED visits were observed associated with the law change among minors (age <21) and adults ages 40 and older.

Downloads

Published

2015-02-26

How to Cite

Dilley, J. A., Baer, A., Duchin, J., & Maher, J. E. (2015). Using a Syndromic Surveillance System to Evaluate the Impact of a Change in Alcohol Law. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v7i1.5736

Issue

Section

Lightning Talks