January 12, 2017

The rate of severe alcohol intoxication at University of Iowa football games has decreased since 2009.  Amelia Fierro-Fine, MD (Resident, Department of Pathology), Karisa Harland, MPH, PhD (Associate Research Scientist, Department of Emergency Medicine), Hans House, MD (Clinical Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine), and Matthew Krasowski, MD, PhD (Clinical Professor, Department of Pathology) analyzed retrospective data since 2006 for patients presenting to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics Emergency Department during football game days.  In 2009, University of Iowa partnered with city government and local law enforcement agencies to address binge drinking at football games, leading to a series of policy changes.  The results of retrospective analysis showed that the odds ratio of a blood alcohol in the severe intoxication range decreased by 25% following 2009.  The results are consistent with survey data showing binge drinking has in general decreased at University of Iowa.  The story was covered by KCRG which features an interview with Dr. House.  The findings were published in the November 2016 issue of Laboratory Medicine.