Changing Wisconsin's Culture of Alcohol to Improve Wisconsin's Health
On a chilly February evening in 2007, University of Wisconsin-Madison freshman Patsy Wagner was returning to her dormitory after a sorority meeting. While crossing the street, a car struck Wagner and dragged her 45 feet down the campus's Greek Row. Police discovered an open beer and an uncapped bottle of Jack Daniels in the vehicle and arrested the driver for his third drunk driving citation.
Wagner was rushed to UW Hospital and treated for multiple injuries, including a fractured skull. While she survived the excruciating ordeal, alcohol-related tragedies like Wagner's are all too common in Wisconsin. Beyond the state's historic reputation for breweries lies a deeper and deadlier issue with problematic drinking. Wisconsin has the highest rates of alcohol consumption, binge drinking and drunk driving in the nation.
UW Hospital and Clinics President and CEO Donna Katen-Bahensky sees the effect of harmful drinking in Wisconsin at her hospital almost every day. She estimated that nearly one-third of UW Hospital's ER admissions were related to irresponsible alcohol consumption.
From July 2005 to June 2008, UW Hospital saw 1,400 patients with a high blood alcohol level. According to Katen-Bahensky, those 1,400 patients accounted for over 6,000 hospital encounters.
In addition to the health problems caused by problem drinking, over-consumption of alcohol also places a financial burden on hospitals. Wisconsin law permits insurance companies to refuse compensation to hospitals if alcohol is noted as a cause for injury in the patient documentation.
"This catastrophe stretches already thin financial reserves," Katen-Bahensky said, estimating that nearly 16 percent of UW Hospital's charity care was devoted to people who were impaired by alcohol when treated. Of the $35 million required for their care, the hospital received only about one-third in insurance company restitution.
"Wisconsin is an island of excessive alcohol consumption," agreed UW School of Medicine and Public Health Dean Robert Golden. "We should lead the country in progressive reform."
In November 2008, UW Health leaders organized the All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education (AWARE) coalition to combat problem drinking throughout the state. With over 50 member organizations from across Wisconsin including health care providers, law enforcement officials and advocacy groups, the coalition is working to make Wisconsin a safer and healthier place for all residents by battling alcohol abuse.
AWARE focuses on four main initiatives: to reduce drunk driving, decrease underage drinking, increase the beer tax to fund law enforcement and alcohol abuse prevention treatment, and prohibit health insurance companies from denying claims for accident victims who test positive for alcohol and other drugs. AWARE currently endorses over a dozen bills circulating through the Wisconsin State Legislature aimed at strengthening the state's alcohol laws. The coalition also supports several research and intervention projects funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program that work toward AWARE's goal of reducing problematic drinking.
"It is time to take action," Dr. Golden said. "This crisis is also an opportunity."