Community norms of alcohol usage and blood pressure: Tecumseh, Michigan

This research examines the relationship between alcohol usage and blood pressure in the adult population of a small community in Michigan. Findings suggest that blood pressure varies with alcohol usage linearly for men with a slight dip at 1-2 drinks per week, and curvilinearly for women with a low point at about 4 drinks per week. A method to measure public norms of alcohol intake and categories of drinking habits is presented. This technique may be useful in constructing drinking categories applicable in a community for both education and therapy.