Relatively little is known about the impact of density
changes relative to baseline density levels. Some
authors (e.g., Mann117) have proposed that the
association between outlet density and alcohol consumption
follows a demand curve, such that when
density is relatively low, increases in density may be
expected to have large effects on consumption, and
when density is relatively high, increases in density
should be expected to have smaller effects.21,117
Thus, it would be useful to assess this hypothesis
empirically using econometric methods, with different
kinds of alcohol-related outcomes. Such information
would allow communities at different alcohol
outlet density “levels” to project the possible
benefits of reducing density by specific amounts or
the potential harms of increasing density.