Document Type
Article
Original Publication Date
2010
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Alcohol Research & Health
Volume
33
Issue
1 and 2
First Page
152
Last Page
160
Date of Submission
June 2015
Abstract
Recent advances in alcohol research continue to build our understanding of alcohol consumption and related consequences for U.S. ethnic minority groups. National surveys show variations across ethnicities in drinking, alcohol use disorders, alcohol problems, and treatment use. Higher rates of high-risk drinking among ethnic minorities are reported for Native Americans and Hispanics, although within-ethnic group differences (e.g., gender, age-group, and other subpopulations) also are evident for ethnicities. Whites and Native Americans have a greater risk for alcohol use disorders relative to other ethnic groups. However, once alcohol dependence occurs, Blacks and Hispanics experience higher rates than Whites of recurrent or persistent dependence. Furthermore, the consequences of drinking appear to be more profound for Native Americans, Hispanics, and Blacks. Disparities in alcohol treatment utilization are most apparent for Hispanics. Explanations for these differences are complex, likely affected by risky drinking behaviors, immigration experiences, racial/ethnic discrimination, economic and neighborhood disadvantage, and variations in alcohol-metabolizing genes. Research must maintain a systematic, strong, and growing focus on ethnic minorities. A more complete understanding of these effects for ethnic minority groups is needed to enable researchers to face the challenges of reducing and ultimately eliminating health disparities in the alcohol field.
Rights
Published by NIH in Alcohol Res Health. 2010; 33(1-2): 152–160.
Is Part Of
VCU Social Work Publications
Comments
Includes data "Drinking Status and Heavy Drinking for U.S. Ethnic Groups by Gender, 2001–2002"
PMCID: PMC3887493 NIHMSID: NIHMS207062
Karen G. Chartier was at the University of Texas School of Public Health at the time of initial publication.