Cross-country and historical variation in alcohol consumption among older men and women: Leveraging recently harmonized survey data in 21 countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol consumption causes greater harm in older than younger adults. As the population ages, understanding cross-country and time-varying drinking patterns of older adults is of critical importance. Available evidence relies primarily on ecological data.

Methods

We harmonized survey data for 179,881 adults age 50+ observed repeatedly between 1998 and 2016 in 21 countries. Next, we estimated historical variation in consumption across countries (overall and stratified by gender and age group 50-64/65+).

Results

On average, 51.95 % of older adults consumed any alcohol over the observed period. For 13 countries, the proportion of older adults who drink increased (mean annual increase: 0.76 percent points). Heavy drinking (men drinks/day>3 or binge>5, women dri

SUBMITTER: Calvo E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7585691 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature