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y Considerations for Alcohol Outlet Density The Community Preventive Services Task Force of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services* report on Alcohol Outlet Density found that greater outlet density is associated with increased alcohol consumption and related harms such as unintentional injuries, crime and violence. They recommend limiting alcohol outlet density through the use of regulatory authority, including zoning. Here is a summary of that report: used upon a systematic review of more than 88 scientific papers, the Task Force on Community Preventive Services concluded that "greater outlet density is associated with increased al- cohol consumption and related harms,"' Specific findings included: Slate and local alcohol outlet density -related policy changes that increase alcohol outlet density and alcohol availability (including allowing sales of new beverages) can significantly increase alco- hol consumption and related problems; Privatizing alcohol sales in Control States (ad- ditional description of Control States can be found in the section on "off -pre miso locations" below) increases the number of retail alcohol establishments; Re -monopolization, or when governments regain monopoly control over the retail sale of alcohol, decreases alcohol availability by reducing the number of alcohol outlets; • Bans on alcohol sales (e.g, studies of dry coun- ties) can substantially reduce excessive alcohol consumption and related harms, although their effectiveness is dependent on the availability of alcohol in surrounding areas. Based on these findings, the Task Force made the following formal recommendation:" "..,the''ask Force found sufficient evidence of a positive association between outlet density and ex- cessive alcohol consumption and related harm to recommend limiting alcohol outlet density through the use of regulatory authority (e.g., licensing and zoning) as a means of reducing or controlling ex- cessive alcohol consumption and related barns." (Taken from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, "Regulating Alcohol Outlet Density: Action Guide" htt ://www.cam .or * doeshesearch-to- ractiee/ lace/alcohol-outlet-densit /outlet- density-stratepizer-nov-2011 pdf) * The Community Services Task Force was established in 1996 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify population health interventions that are scientifically proven to save lives, increase lifespans, and improve quality of life. The Task Force produces recommendations to help inform the decision malting of federal, state, and local health departments, other government agencies, communities, healthcare providers, employers, schools and research organizations.)