23 May Proximity To Liquor Stores Linked To Gun Violence, Especially In Distressed Neighborhoods
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Marie Crandall, MD, MPH, FACS
Associate Professor of Surgery
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, IL 60611
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Crandall: While the association between alcohol and interpersonal violence has been well established, research has been divided with respect to the direct effect of proximity to an establishment with a liquor license and violence. We used geographic regression analysis, which is a type of multivariate regression including geography as a variable, to examine the association between proximity to an establishment with a liquor license, such as a liquor store or tavern, and gun violence in Chicago.
We utilized our state trauma registry and geocoded 11,744 gunshot wounds that occurred between 1999-2009. On the assumption that different neighborhoods might experience risk differently, we used a combination of ordinary least squares and geographic regression analysis to identify homogenous areas with similar risk. We used sociodemographic variables as covariates in the analysis.
We found that the impact of proximity to an establishment with a liquor license and occurrence of gunshot wounds varied markedly by neighborhood. The areas of highest risk were found to have enormous associations, Odds Ratios (OR) greater than 500. These areas also tended to be more socioeconomically distressed areas of the city.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Crandall: Clinicians should know that there does appear to be a very strong association between proximity to an establishment with a liquor license, particularly liquor stores, in many areas, but that this effect is not uniform or universal.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Crandall: We only looked at Chicago data; it would be interesting to investigate this association in other urban areas. We also only looked at gun violence; other types of violence and criminal activities were not assessed. Finally, while the results show a strong association, implications for policy are complex and not necessarily straightforward. For example, one might propose that liquor stores not be allowed to operate in distressed areas; however, it may be that the liquor store is the only purveyor of fresh produce, canned goods, or other staples in that area.
Citation:
Geographic association of liquor licenses and gunshot wounds in Chicago.
Crandall M1, Kucybala K2, Behrens J3, Schwulst S4, Esposito T5.
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MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Marie Crandall, MD, MPH, FACS (2015). Proximity To Liquor Stores Linked To Gun Violence, Especially In Distressed Neighborhoods
Last Updated on May 23, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD