Interview with Katherine Keyes

Interview with Katherine Keyes

Ever thought about how alcohol taxes might impact violence in cities? In this episode of the 'Addiction Journal Podcast', Rob Calder sits down with Katherine Keyes to unpack her groundbreaking research on this very topic. Using an agent-based modeling approach, Keyes dives into the effects of alcohol taxation on violent victimization rates in New York City.

She explains how her model was meticulously set up and calibrated to mirror the city's violence rates, allowing for the introduction and prediction of various interventions like alcohol taxation and outlet policies. The findings? Modest, evidence-based alcohol policies focused on pricing can significantly reduce alcohol-related harm in urban populations. Keyes also discusses the mechanisms behind these effects and underscores the critical role of robust data sources and continuous research.

Whether you're a policy-maker, researcher, or just curious about how public policies can shape societal outcomes, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of economics, public health, and urban safety.