Alcohol consumption among older urban American Indians

To describe the pattern of alcohol consumption by older urban American Indians in Los Angeles, California, in 1987-89.

Data come from a cross-sectional community health survey with a convenience sample of 282 nonhomeless American Indians, both male and female. The sample matched the age and sex distribution reported by the U.S. Census. During the face-to-face structured interview self-reports of alcohol consumption were gathered for American Indians recognized by their community as elders (mean [+/-SD] age 61.1 +/- 11.1 years).

Most elders (73%) did not drink alcohol. More women than men, and more individuals aged 60+ than people under 60 years, abstained. Elders in single generation households tended to consume more alcohol than those in multigeneration households. Among the 76 people we reported drinking, significantly more people under age 60 than over age 60 consumed four or more drinks per sitting (p < .01), and those who lived alone were more likely than drinkers living with others to consume alcohol at least once a week (p < .04).

Age seemed to be a salient marker with respect to alcohol consumption, with fewer people 60+ years of age drinking as much or as often as people under this age. Abstainers are not necessarily lifetime teetotalers, but may be former drinkers who have quit, and may still on occasion go on short-term binges. Results of this survey replicate findings from surveys of the general elderly population, suggesting that older urban American Indians are not different from other older people with respect to consumption of alcohol.