The impact of heavy drinkers on others’ health and well-being in Lao PDR and Thailand

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the relationship between exposure to heavy drinkers and subjective well-being and health-related quality of life in Lao PDR and Thailand. Methods: The national surveys were undertaken in Lao PDR (n=1,212) and Thailand (n=1,571). The questionnaire survey was used to assess the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI), the European Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D), and encounters with heavy drinkers in the respondents’ everyday lives. The association between exposure to heavy drinkers and PWI and EQ-5D utility scores was examined using multivariate analysis. Results: Respondents who were exposed to a larger number of heavy drinkers in their lives were more likely to experience reduced scores for the PWI in Lao PDR and Thailand. However, Thai respondents suffered most when they were exposed to heavy drinkers in their households, while Lao respondents experienced more negative effects from exposure to heavy drinkers outside the household. In addition, every heavy drinker outside the household that Lao respondents came into contact with was associated with reduced EQ-5D utility scores. Conclusions: Exposure to heavy drinkers has a significant negative impact on well-being among the population in both countries. Thus, the reduction in alcohol’s harm to others should be considered in order to promote the well-being of the population as a whole.