Halonen, Jaana I.Kivimäki, MikaVirtanen, MariannaPentti, JaanaSubramanian, S. V.Kawachi, IchiroVahtera, Jussi2019-08-292013Halonen, Jaana I., Mika Kivimäki, Marianna Virtanen, Jaana Pentti, S.V. Subramanian, Ichiro Kawachi, and Jussi Vahtera. 2013. “Proximity of off-Premise Alcohol Outlets and Heavy Alcohol Consumption: A Cohort Study.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 132 (1–2): 295–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.022.0376-87161879-0046http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41275586Background: Availability of alcohol has been associated with alcohol consumption in cross-sectional studies. We examined longitudinally whether change in proximity to off-premise (i.e., no consumption on the premises) beer and liquor outlets is associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Methods: Distances from 54,778 Finnish Public Sector study participants' homes to the nearest off-premise beer and liquor outlets were calculated using Global Positioning System-coordinates. Between-individual analyses were used to study the effects of distance to the nearest outlet on heavy alcohol use, and within-individual analyses to study the effects of a change in distance on change in heavy use. Results: Mean follow-up time in 2000-2009 was 6.8 (standard deviation 2.0) years. In a between-individual analysis, decrease from >= 500 m to <500 m (vs. remained >= 500 m) in the distance to the nearest beer outlet increased the likelihood of incident heavy alcohol use in women (odds ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.05-1.44), but not in men. In a within-individual analysis decrease from 500 m to Urn in log-transformed continuous distance to the nearest beer outlet increased the odds of heavy alcohol consumption in women by 13% (odds ratio 1.13,95% CI 1.01-1.27). For the corresponding change in distance to liquor outlet the increase was 3% (odds ratio 1.03,95% CI 0.97-1.09). Conclusions: Change in distance from home to the nearest off-premise alcohol outlet affects the risk of heavy alcohol consumption in women. This evidence supports policies that restrict physical availability of alcohol.en-USJournal Article2019-08-2910.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.022