@article{Sornpaisarn_Shield_Cohen_Schwartz_Rehm_2013, title={Elasticity of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms, and drinking initiation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis}, volume={2}, url={https://ijadr.org/index.php/ijadr/article/view/50}, DOI={10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.50}, abstractNote={<p>Sornpaisarn, B., Shield, K. Cohen, J., Schwartz, R. &amp; Rehm, J. (2013). Elasticity of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms, and drinking initiation in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. <em>International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2(1)</em>, 45-58.  doi: 10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.50 (<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.50">http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i1.50</a>)</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To systematically review research outlining the effects of price and taxation on alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms, and drinking initiation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).</p><p><strong>Design:</strong> The systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted according to internationally standardized protocols (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis; PRISMA). Data were collected up to June 2011 by searching the peer-reviewed article databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and EconLit, along with the World Health Organization’s gray literature Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and by reference tracking. The meta-analyses were performed using random effects analysis, tests for publication bias, and sensitivity analyses.</p><p><strong>Measures:</strong> Any type of association between alcohol price and/or taxation and alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms, and alcohol drinking initiation in LMIC.</p><p><strong>Findings:</strong> Our systematic search disclosed 12 studies that outlined an association between alcohol price or taxation and alcohol consumption in LMIC, while no articles were found that outlined a relationship between taxation and/or price and alcohol-related harms or drinking initiation in LMIC. The elasticity estimates were –0.64 (95% CI: –0.80 to –0.48) for total consumption of alcohol, –0.50 (95% CI: –0.78 to –0.21) for consumption of beer, and –0.79 (95% CI: –1.09 to –0.49) for consumption of other alcoholic beverages. Publication bias did not significantly affect the estimated elasticities.</p><div><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Price elasticity of demand for alcohol in LMIC is similar to that found in high-income countries. There is an imperative need for research on the association between alcohol price or taxation and alcohol-related harms and drinking initiation in LMIC.</p></div&gt;}, number={1}, journal={International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research}, author={Sornpaisarn, Bundit and Shield, Kevin and Cohen, Joanna and Schwartz, Robert and Rehm, Jürgen}, year={2013}, month={Mar.}, pages={45-58} }