A systematic review of the influence on alcohol use of community level availability and marketing of alcohol.

PURPOSE: Exposure to a high number of alcohol outlets and adverts within a community may lead to higher alcohol use by local residents. The aim of this systematic review was to explore evidence on the influence on alcohol use of community level availability and marketing of alcohol. RESULTS: 26 studies met the eligibility criteria. While the findings were not conclusive, there was some indication that higher outlet density and greater exposure to advertising in a local community may be associated with an increase in alcohol use, particularly among adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: This review disentangled the existing evidence on the overall relationships between availability, marketing and alcohol use at a community level. Further studies are required to better understand the influence of these factors on alcohol use.