The Sheffield alcohol policy model - a mathematical description

Brennan, A., Meier, P. , Purshouse, R., Rafia, R., Meng, Y., Hill-Macmanus, D., Angus, C. and Holmes, J. (2015) The Sheffield alcohol policy model - a mathematical description. Health Economics, 24(10), pp. 1368-1388. (doi: 10.1002/hec.3105) (PMID:25270223)

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Abstract

This methodology paper sets out a mathematical description of the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model version 2.0, a model to evaluate public health strategies for alcohol harm reduction in the UK. Policies that can be appraised include a minimum price per unit of alcohol, restrictions on price discounting, and broader public health measures. The model estimates the impact on consumers, health services, crime, employers, retailers and government tax revenues. The synthesis of public and commercial data sources to inform the model structure is described. A detailed algebraic description of the model is provided. This involves quantifying baseline levels of alcohol purchasing and consumption by age and gender subgroups, estimating the impact of policies on consumption, for example, using evidence on price elasticities of demand for alcohol, quantification of risk functions relating alcohol consumption to harms including 47 health conditions, crimes, absenteeism and unemployment, and finally monetary valuation of the consequences. The results framework, shown for a minimum price per unit of alcohol, has been used to provide policy appraisals for the UK government policy‐makers. In discussion and online appendix, we explore issues around valuation and scope, limitations of evidence/data, how the framework can be adapted to other countries and decisions, and ongoing plans for further development.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Meier, Professor Petra
Authors: Brennan, A., Meier, P., Purshouse, R., Rafia, R., Meng, Y., Hill-Macmanus, D., Angus, C., and Holmes, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:Health Economics
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1057-9230
ISSN (Online):1099-1050
Published Online:30 September 2014
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in Health Economics 24(10): 1368-1388
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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