Alcoholic beverage types consumed by population subgroups in the United States: implications for alcohol policy to address health disparities

Introduction

We aimed to identify alcoholic beverage types more likely to be consumed by demographic subgroups with greater alcohol-related health risk than others, mainly individuals with low socio-economic status, racial/ethnic minority status and high drinking levels.

Methods

Fractional logit modelling was performed using a nationally representative sample of US adult drinkers (analytic N = 37,657) from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Waves 2 (2004–2005) and 3 (2012–2013). The outcomes were the proportions of pure alcohol consumed as beer, wine, liquor and coolers (defined as wine-/malt-/liquor-based coolers, hard lemonade, hard cider and any prepackaged cocktails of alcohol and mixer).

Results

Adults with lower education and low or medium income were more likely to drink beer, liquor and coolers, while those with a 4-year college/advanced degree and those with high income preferred wine. Excepting Asian adults, racial/ethnic minority adults were more likely to drink beer (Hispanics) and liquor (Blacks), compared with White adults. High- or very-high-level drinkers were more likely to consume liquor and beer and less likely to consume wine (and coolers), compared with low-level drinkers. High-level and very-high-level drinkers, who were less than 10% of all drinkers, consumed over half of the total volume of beer, liquor and coolers consumed by all adults.

Discussion and Conclusions

Individuals with low socio-economic status, racial/ethnic minority status or high drinking level prefer liquor and beer. As alcohol taxes, sales and marketing practices all are beverage-specific, targeted approaches to reduce consumption of these beverages, particularly among individuals with these profiles, are warranted.