Economic arguments for population interventions to reduce alcohol consumption in Russian population
Abstract Aim To get economic arguments for population-based interventions to reducing the consumption of alcohol in the Russian Federation. Material and Methods Studies of international practice on the implementation of population-based preventive measures to reducing alcohol consumption was carried out in order to identify interventions with proven effectiveness. We used the official statistics data collected by Ministry of health on the number of patients, health care resources utilization. Directs nonmedical costs included disability payments. Indirect costs included decreased productivity due to premature mortality and disability. Results Russian Federation has on the moment rather strong legislation in the area of alcohol regulation, but still there is a potential for further improvement. Increase in the price for alcoholic beverages by 10% in the Russian Federation can potentially prevent 7 477 potential years of life lost, the prognosed economic effect due to premature deaths reduction will be 42 002 523€ for 5 years. Increase in the minimum age for alcohol sales from 18years to 21years can save 48 920 potential years of life lost in Russian population, and the economic effect will be 279 912 075€ for 3 years. Reducing the permissible limit of blood alcohol concentration in vehicle drivers to 0.03mg/ml will allow to gain 8 834 673€ of economic effect for 3years.The deprivation of driving license for longer period after drinking and driving will give economic 916 809€ for 1 year due to prevent 217fatal accidents in alcohol intoxicated condition. And the effect of a complete ban on advertising alcoholic beverages in all media will give potential impact of 678 437 773€ for 10years Conclusions There are still potential for improvement the legislation in the area of alcohol control in Russian Federation. Described interventions demonstrate substantial potential economic effect. These data can be used as an argument for policy makers to justify the investments in these interventions Key messages The main results obtained in the simulation demonstrated the possibility of improving the prognosis of mortality and morbidity from NCDs associated with alcohol consumption. These data can be used as an argument for policy makers to justify the investments in these interventions.