@article{ref1,
title="The Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Mortality: Regression Discontinuity Evidence from the Minimum Drinking Age",
journal="American economic journal: applied economics",
year="2009",
author="Carpenter, Christopher and Dobkin, Carlos",
volume="1",
number="1",
pages="164-182",
abstract="We estimate the effect of alcohol consumption on mortality using the minimum drinking age in a regression discontinuity design. We find large and immediate increases in drinking at age 21, including a 21 percent increase in recent drinking days. We also find a discrete 9 percent increase in the mortality rate at age 21, primarily due to motor vehicle accidents, alcohol-related deaths, and suicides. We estimate a 10 percent increase in the number of drinking days for young adults results in a 4.3 percent increase in mortality. Our results suggest policies that reduce drinking among young adults can have substantial public health benefits. (JEL I12, I18)<p />",
language="",
issn="1945-7782",
doi="10.1257/app.1.1.164",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/app.1.1.164"
}