Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112680

Young-Hee Yoon, PhD¹, Hsiao-ye Yi, PhD¹, Chiung M. Chen, MA¹, and Rosalind Breslow, PhD². (1) Alcohol Epidemiologic Data System, NIH/NIAAA, CSR, Incorporated, 2107 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-741-7152, yhyoon@csrincorporated.com, (2) Division of Epidemiology and Prevention Research, NIAAA/NIH, 5635 Fishers Lane, Bethesda, MD 20892-9304

Previous studies suggest that education level increases current drinking, but decreases risky drinking among current drinkers (Dawson et al., 2004). Some studies also suggest that the effect of education on alcohol consumption varies by race/ethnicity. The current study examines the relationship between education level and drinking behavior by sex and race/ethnicity using data from the 2001–2002 NESARC.

Respondents ages 25+ were selected for the study (N=37,894). Drinking variables included current drinking (1+ drink in the past year) and risky drinking (i.e. average daily consumption exceeding 2 drinks for men or 1 drink for women; 5+ drinks for men or 4+ drinks for women on one occasion). Logistic regression was conducted separately for sex by race/ethnicity subpopulation groups to examine the effect of education level on the odds of drinking and risky drinking, controlling for age, income, school enrollment, marital status, alcoholic family history, age of drinking onset, and immigration status.

Results showed that the odds of being a drinker generally increased with education level, except among non-Hispanic Blacks where education had no significant net effect on current drinking for either males or females. In contrast, among current drinkers, the association between education and risky drinking varied widely across subpopulation groups. There was a positive association among non-Hispanic White females, but a negative association among non-Hispanic Black males and females and Hispanic males, and no significant association among non-Hispanic White males and Hispanic females. These diverse patterns underscore the importance of race/ethnicity-specific analyses and strategies in research and prevention efforts.

Learning Objectives: At the close of this presentation, participants will be able to

(
• understand the key concept of low-risk drinking recommended by NIAAA; (
• evaluate the role of education in drinking behavior; and (
• gain increased understanding of the diverse effects of education on drinking patterns across sex and racial/ethnic subgroups.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.