The role of alcohol control policy on the level of alcohol consumption in member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2000–2022: identifying trends and country clusters for further analyses
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Background: In his historical studies of current high-income countries, Angus Deaton demonstrated a correlation between a country's prosperity and the health of its population. His conceptual framework has recently been expanded to include the role of alcohol. In this ecological study, we test the key assumptions of the expanded framework and classify countries with respect to both their levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol control policies to economic development. Methods: We explored linear trends from 2000 to 2022 in gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity (GDP-PPP per capita), life expectancy, and adult alcohol per capita consumption (APC) in 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), grouping them through cluster analyses based on these three variables. We also scored and ranked the countries based on their alcohol control policies. Lastly, we used generalised least squares models, accounting for temporal autocorrelation, to evaluate the associations between GDP-PPP per capita, life expectancy, and APC. Results: We corroborated Deaton's conclusions that increases in economic wealth were associated with increases in life expectancy, with the largest improvements seen in low-income countries and the smallest in high-income countries. Economic transition was consistently related to increases in the level of alcohol consumption in low-income economies, with the exception of Muslim-majority countries. Following their transition to a lower middle-income status, some ASEAN countries appear to have implemented more effective alcohol control policies that halted further increases in their levels of consumption. In Muslim-majority countries, the level of consumption was low, irrespective of the level of economic development. Conclusions: The implementation of alcohol control policies prevents further increases in alcohol consumption and attributable harm and thus allows countries undergoing economic transition to reap the full health benefits of economic development.
Source: Journal of Global Health
Authors: Jürgen Rehm, Daniela Correia, Gianna Gayle H Amul, Ian Yi Han Ang, Surasak Chaiyasong, Pheak Chhoun, Chean Lin Chong, Andrea Mong Rui Chua, Noran N Hairi, Enjeline Hanafi, Hoang Thi My Hanh, Ahmed S Hassan, Kyaw Ko Ko Htet, Norli Abdul Jabbar, Huan Jiang, Wah Yun Low, John Robert Carabeo Medina, Belinda J. Murtani, Jiraluck Nontarak, Sok King Ong, Pol Rovira, Kevin D Shield, Kristiana Siste, Vathsana Somphet, Vanphanom Sychareun, Chansathit Taikeophithoun, Yik-Ying Teo, Vassana Thammavongsa, Wen Ting Tong, Polathep Vichitkunakorn, Nguyen The Vinh, Wit Wichaidit, Andreas Suryo Wijaya, Qian Yang, Siyan Yi, Nurhaliza Zakariah, Ko Ko Zaw, Nyi Nyi Zayar, Hafsah Alwafa Zulakmal, Sawitri Assanangkornchai, Bundit Sornpaisarn
Institutions: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Universidade do Porto, World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Ateneo de Manila University, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Mahasarakham University, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, University of Malaya, University of Indonesia, Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Nasional Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo, Health Strategy and Policy Institute, Ministry of Health, Prince of Songkla University, Center for Alcohol Studies, University of the Philippines Manila, Mahidol University, Agència de Salut Pública de Catalunya, Western University, Ministry of Health, STI Myanmar College
Language: English
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,200
OpenAlex ID: W7166157832