Alcohol consumption among older women in the United States

ABSTRACT

Few studies have examined alcohol consumption among older women. Using the nationally representative National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we examined binge, moderate, and no alcohol consumption among women ages 50+ (n = 21,178). We calculated population prevalence by age and used multivariate logistic regression, controlling for seven sociodemographic factors. In adjusted results, women ages 65+ were more likely to have moderate or no alcohol consumption than those 50–64; Hispanic and African American women were more likely to engage in binge consumption than whites (all p < .01). More research is needed to understand binge alcohol consumption among older women in racial/ethnic minorities.

KEYWORDS:

• Alcohol
• binge drinking
• women’s health