How Americans say they drink: preliminary data from two recent national surveys

Data from two recent National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) surveys which included alcohol consumption questions are described. These surveys are the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HANES I), providing alcohol consumption, dietary recall, health and demographic data for over 20,000 respondents; and the Health Habits Section of the 1977 Health Interview Survey (HIS) which provides responses of 23,000 people on drinking behavior and health factors such as smoking, physical disabilities, and dietary habits. Drinking data from these surveys are limited but of sufficient accuracy to be useful for cross-classification of drinking with health, socio-economic and demographic variables. Drinking patterns correlate reasonably well with those reported in other national surveys. Selected findings show that patterns of drinking and dietary intake are similar at national and regional levels, with the South remaining the region lowest in alcohol consumption levels. Surveys consistently under-report alcohol quantities expected from sales in all regions; potential reasons for this are discussed. Highest consumption is reported by males (3 to 4 times that of females), those with European national origins, those who are working or in school (college) rather than those who are retired or keeping house, and those between 25 and 64 years old. Beer remains the beverage of choice, particularly among those who are the heaviest drinkers. The potential for future analyses of drinking behavior and its health implications is explored, and areas for further investigation are suggested. Data preparations have been completed so that information on alcohol consumption can be more readily related to medical history, medical examination, laboratory findings, disability, and health care data in these surveys.