A proposed social indicator system for alcohol-related problems

The proposed social indicator system for alcoholism would be based on data recorded by various social agencies for problematic alcohol-related behavior, including: child abuse; alcohol-related arrest; death from accidents, homicide, suicide, cirrhosis, pneumonia, and ulcer; and admission to specified treatment facilities for alcoholism. The system offers an epidemiologic tool for assessing, not only alcohol-related events, but also institutional activity. Comparisons can be made between various subpopulations or in a given population over a limited time period. Preventive and treatment programs can be evaluated with this method, and it lends itself to cost accounting of such programs. Sample statistics are presented for Minnesota where the method will be tested in pilot study.