Regional and racial/ethnic variations in alcohol consumption among older adults

Abstract

Objectives: This paper sought to examine the role of region and race/ethnicity in alcohol consumption among older adults.Methods: Data were obtained from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Participants aged 60 and older were included (n = 185, 190). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to examine the effects of region and race/ethnicity on alcohol consumption among older adults.Results: Results indicate that region and race/ethnicity are significantly related to the alcohol consumption of older adults. More specifically, results suggest that White older adults consume significantly more alcohol than other racial/ethnic groups among older adults. Regarding regional effects, results suggest that older adults in the West consume significantly more alcohol than older adults in the Midwest and South. Additionally, results suggest regional variation in alcohol consumption patterns by race/ethnicity.Conclusion: Findings provide additional insight into how and where alcohol is being used among older adults in the United States. Further, findings highlight the importance of taking race/ethnicity and geography into consideration when investigating the health behaviors of older adults.