Environmental Public Health Tracking: Alcohol Data

Epidemiologists view the term “environmental” broadly to include not only the air we breathe and the water we drink, but also our built environment: the businesses, parks, schools, bike paths, and other surroundings that make up our communities. Places that sell alcohol are part of that built environment and can help us understand how alcohol impacts our health and our communities.

Alcohol also increases risk of mouth, liver, throat, colorectal, voice box, female breast, and esophagus cancers; data on these cancers are also hosted here.

Communities can use these data to get a better understanding of how alcohol impacts their residents.

With Environmental Public Health Tracking, we can monitor alcohol-related measures over time and use that information to educate communities, plan programs, and implement policies.

Data related to alcohol outlet density come from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and are based on the liquor licenses issued and reported to them.

Data related to hospitalizations come from inpatient hospital discharge records.

Data related to deaths are from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. See our data details page to learn more about how these measures are calculated.

Below is a list of alcohol-related measures. See our data details page for more information about how these measures are calculated.

• Alcohol Outlet Density
  • Total number of licenses
  • People per license
  • Crude rate of alcohol licensure per 500 people
  • Number of license types (Class A, Class B, Class C, Class Unknown; see considerations below for more information about class type)
• Alcohol-related Fall Deaths
• Alcohol-related Poisoning Deaths
• Alcohol-related Suicide Deaths
• Hospitalizations

Read the data details for more information about the datasets and how specific measures are calculated.

• Alcohol Outlet Density Considerations
  • Data are a point-in-time estimate. That means the data are shared once annually and, at any given time throughout the year, a new license could be issued or an old one not renewed.
  • Per Wis. Stat. § 125.04(g), type A licenses includes Class "A" retail sale of beer for consumption off the premises (AB); "Class A” retail sale of liquor, including wine, for consumption off the premises (AL); "Class A" retail sale of cider for consumption off the premises (AC); and "Class A” retail sale of beer and liquor, including wine, for consumption off the premises (ALB). Type B includes Class “B” retail sale of beer for consumption on or off the premises (BB); "Class B” retail sale of liquor, including wine, for consumption on the premises and wine in original sealed container for consumption off the premises (BL); and "Class B“ beer and liquor (BLB). Type C is "Class C” wine for consumption only on the premises and carryout of a single opened and resealed bottle if sold with a meal.
  • Some establishments are issued more than one type of liquor license. As such, the number of licenses does not equal the number of establishments serving or selling alcohol in a community.
  • Differences in alcohol outlet density by county or municipality are difficult to interpret. Rural counties may have a higher number of outlets relative to population, but these outlets may be small and serve fewer people than a single outlet in a large city. However, this higher number of outlets relative to the population may indicate greater accessibility. Moreover, county level data may mask great variations in density for various municipalities within a given county. Read more about assessing alcohol outlet density in the 2016 Wisconsin Epidemiological Profile on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
• Hospitalization Considerations
  • The number of alcohol-attributable hospitalizations are estimates based on the CDC's (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) methodology. Learn more on our data details page.
  • Because these data are based on estimates of hospital discharges, some cases are not captured. Examples might include those who do not receive medical care, those whose care does not result in hospitalization, and those who die in settings such as ambulances, nursing homes, or at home.
  • Data from years 2000 to present include hospitalizations among Wisconsin residents who were treated in Minnesota hospitals. In addition, data from years 2005 to present include hospitalizations among Wisconsin residents who were treated in Iowa hospitals.
  • These data do not include inpatient admissions or emergency department visits at hospitals owned by the federal government, such as Veterans Administration hospitals.
• Death Consideration

The death certificate dataset may be missing a small number of cases where the decedent is a Wisconsin resident but died in another state.

• Wisconsin DHS Alcohol Use Dashboards
• Medical College of Wisconsin – Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Substance Use: Prevention and Healthy Living
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Substance Use: Partner/Provider Resources
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services – Wisconsin Epidemiological Profile on Alcohol and Other Drugs, 2016
• Wisconsin Cancer Council - Alcohol and Cancer
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Alcohol and Public Health
• Alliance for Wisconsin Youth

Click the link below to download the data you're looking for:

Municipality Data (CSV)

County Data (CSV)

State Data (CSV)

Alcohol outlet density

Number of licenses

These data come from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) and are based on the liquor licenses issued and reported to the DOR. Data are a point-in-time estimate (that means the data are shared once annually and, at any given time throughout the year, a new license could be issued or an old one not renewed). Data are not suppressed for this measure. This measure represents the number of licenses in a municipality, county, or state in the respective year. Some establishments are issued more than one type of liquor license. The reported number of licenses per geographic region is the number of establishments issued a license. Note that differences in alcohol outlet density by county or municipality are difficult to interpret. Rural counties may have a higher number of outlets relative to population, but these outlets may be small and serve fewer people than a single outlet in a large city. However, this higher number of outlets relative to the population may also indicate greater accessibility. Moreover, county level data may mask great variations in density for various locations within a given county.

People per license (PPL)

These data come from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) and are based on the liquor licenses issued and reported to the DOR. Data are a point-in-time estimate (that means the data are shared once annually and, at any given time throughout the year, a new license could be issued or an old one not renewed). Data are not suppressed for this measure. This measure represents the total population in a given geographic area (state, county, and municipality) divided by the number of establishments with liquor licenses. That is, the number of people per alcohol license by municipality, county, or state in the respective year. Note that differences in alcohol outlet density by county or municipality are difficult to interpret. Rural counties may have a higher number of outlets relative to population, but these outlets may be small and serve fewer people than a single outlet in a large city. However, this higher number of outlets relative to the population may also indicate greater accessibility. Moreover, county level data may mask great variations in density for various locations within a given county.

Rate of alcohol licensure per 500 people

These data come from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) and are based on the liquor licenses issues and reported to the DOR. Data are a point-in-time estimate (that means the data are shared once annually and, at any given time throughout the year, a new license could be issued or an old one not renewed). Data are not suppressed for this measure. This rate represents the number of establishments with a liquor license divided by the total number of people in the geographic region (municipality, county, or state). This rate is expressed as a number per 500 people in the population. Note that differences in alcohol outlet density by county or municipality are difficult to interpret. Rural counties may have a higher number of outlets relative to population, but these outlets may be small and serve fewer people than a single outlet in a large city. However, this higher number of outlets relative to the population may also indicate greater accessibility. Moreover, rates may mask great variations in density for various locations within a given county.

Number of license types

These data come from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) and are based on the liquor licenses issues and reported to the DOR. Data are a point-in-time estimate (that means the data are shared once annually and, at any given time throughout the year, a new license could be issued or an old one not renewed). Data are not suppressed for this measure.

This measure represents the number of alcohol licenses issued by license type by municipality, county, or state in the respective year. Per Wis. Stat. § 125.04(g):

• Type A licenses includes Class "A" retail sale of beer for consumption off the premises (AB); "Class A” retail sale of liquor, including wine, for consumption off the premises (AL); "Class A" retail sale of cider for consumption off the premises (AC); and "Class A” retail sale of beer and liquor, including wine, for consumption off the premises (ALB).
• Type B includes Class “B” retail sale of beer for consumption on or off the premises (BB); "Class B” retail sale of liquor, including wine, for consumption on the premises and wine in original sealed container for consumption off the premises (BL); and "Class B“ beer and liquor (BLB).
• Type C is "Class C” wine for consumption only on the premises and carryout of a single opened and resealed bottle if sold with a meal. For more information on what each class permits visit the State of Wisconsin DOR.

Sub-county (city/town/village)

At the sub-county level, alcohol license data can be viewed by municipality (i.e., city, town, or village). However, it is important to keep in mind that 56 municipalities in Wisconsin overlap county boundaries. For ease of use, we have included these municipalities in each county where they are partially contained. For example, Watertown (city) can be viewed as a sub-county component of either Dodge County or Jefferson County.

The following cities, towns, or villages are affected:

Alcohol hospitalizations

Number of alcohol-attributable hospitalizations

These data were collected from inpatient hospital discharge records. When Wisconsin residents were treated in neighboring states, data from those states were obtained (where possible). Hospitalization records for 2001-2004 were obtained from Wisconsin and Iowa. Hospitalizations records for 2005-2014 were obtained from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Data are not suppressed for this measure. To determine which hospitalizations were attributable to alcohol, specifications from the Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI), developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. These specifications define 54 conditions or groups of conditions and associate each with distinct fractions of cases that are attributable to alcohol. These alcohol-attributable fractions (AAF) were determined by the CDC through direct and indirect measurements. The total number of alcohol-attributable hospitalizations was estimated by using the ARDI specified International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th revision (ICD-9 and ICD-10) codes and multiplying by the respective alcohol-attributable fraction.

Crude rate per 100,000

These data were collected from inpatient hospital discharge records. When Wisconsin residents were treated in neighboring states, data from those states were obtained (where possible). Hospitalization records for 2001-2004 were obtained from Wisconsin and Iowa. Hospitalizations records for 2005-2014 were obtained from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. Data are not suppressed for this measure. To determine which hospitalizations were attributable to alcohol, specifications from ARDI, developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. These specifications define 54 conditions or groups of conditions and associate each with distinct fractions of cases that are attributable to alcohol. These alcohol-attributable fractions (AAF) were determined by the CDC through direct and indirect measurements. The total number of alcohol-attributable hospitalizations was estimated by using the ARDI specified ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes and multiplying by the respective alcohol-attributable fraction. The crude rate is determined by dividing the total number of alcohol-attributable hospitalizations in the county or state by the respective population. This rate is expressed as a number per 100,000 people. The crude rate does not take into account the differences across counties in age or sex distribution and are therefore potentially subject to biases from these factors.

Suicide deaths

Count

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were used to determine suicide deaths. To determine the suicides attributable to alcohol, specifications from ARDI, developed by the CDC Alcohol Program were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Suicide by alcohol of those 15 years of age and older was 100% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 code X65. Suicide and self-inflicted injury deaths not specifically by alcohol of those 15 years of age and older were considered 23% attributable to alcohol and were identified by the ICD-10 codes X60-X64, X66-X84, and Y87.0. ARDI determined an AAF of 23% for suicide and self-inflicted injury not specifically by alcohol through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). Total suicide deaths attributable to alcohol were determined by multiplying the counts of the ICD-10 codes by the respective AAF and summing.

Crude rate

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. ICD-10 codes were used to determine suicide deaths To determine the suicides attributable to alcohol, specifications from ARDI, developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Suicide by alcohol of those 15 years of age and older was 100% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 code X65. Suicide and self-inflicted injury deaths not specifically by alcohol of those 15 years of age and older were considered 23% attributable to alcohol and were identified by the ICD-10 codes X60-X64, X66-X84, and Y87.0. ARDI determined an AAF of 23% for suicide and self-inflicted injury not specifically by alcohol through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). The crude rate was then determined by dividing the total number of alcohol-attributable suicides in the state by the state population. This rate is expressed as a number per 100,000 people.

Poisoning deaths

Count

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. ICD-10 codes were used to determine poisoning deaths. Poisoning deaths exclude acute alcohol poisoning and includes only non-ethyl alcohol poisonings. To determine the non-ethyl alcohol poisonings attributable to alcohol, specifications from ARDI, developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Non-ethyl alcohol poisonings of those 15 years of age and older was 29% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 codes X40-X44,X46-X49, Y10-Y14, and Y16-Y19. ARDI determined an AAF of 29% non-ethyl alcohol poisonings through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). Total non-ethyl alcohol poisonings deaths attributable to alcohol were determined by multiplying the counts of the ICD-10 codes by the respective AAF and summing.

Crude rate

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. ICD-10 codes were used to determine poisoning deaths. Poisoning deaths exclude acute alcohol poisoning and include only non-ethyl alcohol poisonings. To determine the non-ethyl alcohol poisonings attributable to alcohol, specifications from ARDI, developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Non-ethyl alcohol poisonings of those 15 years of age and older was 29% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 codes X40-X44,X46-X49, Y10-Y14, and Y16-Y19. ARDI determined an AAF of 29% non-ethyl alcohol poisonings through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). The crude rate was then determined by dividing the total number of alcohol-attributable non-ethyl alcohol poisonings in the state by the state population. This rate is expressed as a number per 100,000 people.

Unintentional fall deaths

Count

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were used to determine unintentional fall deaths. To determine the fall deaths attributable to alcohol, specifications from Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI), developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Unintentional fall deaths of those 15 years of age and older was 32% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 codes W00-W19. ARDI determined an AAF of 32% alcohol-attributable falls through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). Total fall deaths attributable to alcohol were determined by multiplying the counts of the ICD-10 codes by the respective AAF and summing.

Crude rate

These data were obtained from Wisconsin resident death certificate files. International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) codes were used to determine unintentional fall deaths. To determine the fall deaths attributable to alcohol, specifications from Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI), developed by the CDC Alcohol Program, were used. The ARDI specifications define the fraction of deaths by various means that are attributable to alcohol. Unintentional fall deaths of those 15 years of age and older was 32% attributable to alcohol and was identified by ICD-10 codes W00-W19. ARDI determined an AAF of 32% alcohol-attributable falls through direct measurement based on a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (1999). The crude rate was then determined by dividing the total number of alcohol-attributable falls in the state by the state population. This rate is expressed as a number per 100,000 people.