"One of the most interesting things we discovered is that patterns of urban assault-related injury are always changing," says Dr. Cusimano. "The location of injuries shifted over time-from low income areas during daylight and early evening hours to areas of higher income, lower residential density and higher densities of drinking establishments at night."

The researchers think the observed shift to night-life districts has implications for preventive interventions such as policy, law enforcement and strategies aimed at alcohol and drug use not only in Toronto but in large cities all over the world that have "entertainment districts".

Source: St. Michael's Hospital