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Effects of direct-to-consumer alcohol home delivery policies on alcohol-related online searches in the United States from 2019 to 2023: A Google Trends study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examined the effects of direct-to-consumer alcohol home delivery (DTC) policies enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on online searches for alcohol delivery and alcohol-related harms in the United States. Google Trends data (2019–2023) were used to assess weekly relative search volume (RSV) for three terms reflecting 1) DTC and 2) potential harms associated with expanded DTC: alcohol delivery , alcohol poisoning , and alcoholic . RSV for each term was extracted for states representing four DTC policy contexts (no DTC [South Carolina], no change in existing DTC policy [Pennsylvania], new DTC policy [Georgia], expanded DTC policy [California]). Interrupted times series analyses evaluated the effect of time and policy implementation on RSV in states introducing or expanding DTC policies, while linear regressions evaluated the effect of time where DTC policies did not change. There was a significant positive effect of time on RSV for alcohol delivery in the state that introduced a new DTC policy (β = 0.1, p = 0.02), with RSV declining over time following policy implementation (β = −0.1, p = 0.001). In the state that expanded DTC policy, alcohol delivery RSV increased immediately after policy expansion (β = 20.9, p < 0.001) and declined in subsequent months (β = −1.5, p < 0.001). RSV for alcohol-related harms fluctuated across states. Online search interest related to alcohol delivery and harms varied post-DTC policy implementation. These findings highlight the potential of search trends to provide real-time insights into public health impacts of evolving alcohol policies. • Direct-to-consumer alcohol home delivery policies expanded post-COVID-19 pandemic. • Alcohol delivery searches rose post-policy change, then declined in some states. • Alcohol-related harms searches fell after policy changes in certain states.

Source: Preventive Medicine Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103005

Authors: McKenna Roudebush, Melissa J. Cox, Kurt M. Ribisl, Jimikaye B. Courtney

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,610