Do Racial and Ethnic Minority Drinkers Have More Alcohol Consequences than White Drinkers?

Researchers analyzed National Alcohol Survey data from 4080 current drinkers (69% white, 19% black, and 12% Hispanic) to assess racial differences in alcohol dependence symptoms and social consequences and to determine whether self-reported social disadvantages (e.g., poverty, unfair treatment, and racial/ethnic stigma) explained any observed racial differences. Heavy drinking* was stratified into none/low (69%), moderate (21%), and high (10%).

• More black (11%) and Hispanic (12%) than white (6%) participants had 2 or more alcohol dependence symptoms.

• More black (13%) and Hispanic (15%) than white (9%) participants had 1 or more alcohol-related social consequences (accidents; arguments/fights; or health, legal, and workplace problems).

• In separate adjusted analyses, black and Hispanic participants were significantly more likely than white participants to have 2 or more alcohol dependence symptoms (if they reported “none/low” or “moderate” heavy drinking), and to have to have 1 or more alcohol-related social consequences (the “none/low” category only). Odds ratios for the higher drinking categories were also elevated but did not reach statistical significance.

• Adding social disadvantages to the models did not change the results.

Comments:

This study suggests that, among those with lower levels of heavy drinking, blacks and Hispanics are at greater risk for alcohol dependence symptoms and alcohol-related social consequences than whites. It is not clear if these findings represent a true difference between minorities and whites or if they are due to reporting or measurement error.

Kevin L. Kraemer, MD, MSc

Reference:

Mulia N, Ye Y, Greenfield TK, et al. Disparities in alcohol-related problems among white, black, and Hispanic Americans. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009;33(4):654–662.