142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Influence of race/ethnicity and alcohol use on high blood pressure and diabetes

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Vanessa Marshall, MA, PhD (c) , College of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Scott Grey, PhD , Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Angela Neal-Barnett, PhD , Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Jeffrey S. Hallam, PhD, MA, BS , Social and Behavioral Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH
Background: Epidemiological evidence shows that minority populations are disproportionately affected by high blood pressure and diabetes.  Alcohol use contributes to these chronic diseases; however, the interaction between alcohol use and race/ethnicity and these health outcomes is not well understood.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of race/ethnicity and alcohol use on high blood pressure (HBP) and diabetes diagnoses.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2011 US National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted (n=52,139).  Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the interaction of race/ethnicity and alcohol use on high blood pressure and diabetes diagnoses. Participants’ alcohol use was categorized as nondrinkers, regular drinkers, and alcohol use disorder (AUD).    

Results:  Compared to nondrinkers, regular drinkers had double the odds of HBP and diabetes, whereas AUD participants had smaller odds of reported lifetime diabetes. Among no drinkers, Blacks had higher odds of HBP and diabetes than Whites and Hispanics, and Whites had higher odds of HBP than Hispanics. For regular drinkers, Blacks had higher odds of HBP and diabetes than Whites and Hispanics, and Whites also had higher odds of HBP than Hispanics. In AUD participants, Blacks and Whites had triple the odds of HBP than Hispanics, Whites also had higher odds of diabetes than Hispanics. 

Conclusions:  These findings support there is a significant interaction between race/ethnicity and alcohol use on high blood pressure and diabetes diagnoses.  Future research should examine the modifiable factors that contribute to these health disparities.

Learning Areas:

Other professions or practice related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Identify the relationship between alcohol use and race/ethnicity on high blood pressure and diabetes. Describe two differences between the role of race/ethnicity and alcohol use on high blood pressure and diabetes.

Keyword(s): Alcohol Use, Health Disparities/Inequities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I manage various multidisciplinary alcohol research studies and train various health care professionals about addiction.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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