The relationship between alcohol consumption and self-reported health status using the EQ5D

Alcohol misuse represents one of the leading causes of preventable death, illness and injury in Australia. Extensive research exists estimating the effect of risky alcohol use on mortality but little research quantifies the impact of risky alcohol consumption on morbidity. Estimates are needed to measure the benefit of interventions which reduce risky alcohol use. Ordered probit and tobit models are used to analyse the impact of risky drinking on self reported health status using data from rural Australians. It is found that risky alcohol use is associated with lower self-reported health however the average effect is small apart for those drinking at very high risk.