Affordability of Alcohol and Alcohol-Related Outcomes in Russia

Abstract

Background: Studies from many countries have shown an inverse relationship between alcohol prices and alcohol drinking and concluded that economic availability (affordability) of alcohol is one of the most important predictors of alcohol-related harm. Objective: The aim of the present study was to estimate the relationship between the affordability of vodka and alcohol-related outcomes in post-Soviet Russia. Methods: Trends in the affordability of vodka and mortality from external causes (violent mortality), fatal alcohol poisonings and incidence of alcoholic psychoses between 1991 and 201 5 were compared. Results: A Spearman correlation analysis suggests a statistically significant negative association between the affordability of vodka and violent mortality (r = 0.51; p<0.009), including fatal alcohol poisonings (r =0.49; p<0.015). The association between vodka affordability and alcoholic psychoses incidence rates wos also negative; but, statistically not significant (r = 0.03; p<0.895). Conclusions: The results from this study suggest an inverse aggregate-level relationship between vodka affordability and alcohol-related outcomes in Russia. These findings point to the complex relationship between alcohol affordability and alcohol-related outcomes.