Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking Among U.S.–Mexico Border and Non‐Border Mexican Americans

Abstract

Background This paper examines differences in drinking and binge drinking between Mexican Americans living along the U.S.-Mexico border and those living in two metropolitan areas away from the border (Houston, Texas, and Los Angeles, California). Methods Respondents in the non-border area (Houston and Los Angeles) constitute a multistage probability sample (N=1,288) who were interviewed as part of the 2006 Hispanic Americans Baseline Alcohol Survey (HABLAS). Respondents in the border area (N=1,307) constitute a household probability sample of Mexican Americans living on the U.S.-Mexico border. In both surveys, data were collected during computer assisted interviews conducted in respondents’ homes. The HABLAS and the border sample response rates were 76% and 67%, respectively. Results There were no differences between border and non-border Mexican American men in the proportion of drinkers, the proportion who binge drink at least once a year and volume of alcohol consumption. However, within each location, there were significant differences in drinking by age, indicating that younger men drank more than men who were older. Border women showed significant differences across age groups in the proportion of drinkers, in binge drinking and volume of alcohol consumption, which were not seen among non-border women. Conclusions Women’s drinking seems to be more affected than men’s by their residence on or off the U.S.-Mexico border. This is seen most clearly among young women 18–29 years old and it is associated with an increased proportion of drinkers, a higher volume of drinking and an increased proportion of women who report binge drinking. Increased drinking in this group of younger women seems to be associated with drinking in Mexico.

Binge drinking by gender and race/ethnicity among California adults, 2007/2009

“…These data provide a nonoverlapping complement to (a) population-level estimates using BFRSS and NSDUH data with limited race/ethnicity detail (12,30) and national studies examining in detail specific race/ethnicity groups, such as the NSDUH study of Asian adults (26), (b) regional studies of specific racial/ethnic groups (25,27,28), (c) state-level estimates based on national datasets (31), and (d) other CHIS-based research, such as Bryant and Kim's study of alcohol consumption among elderly Asians and Latino immigrants (28). Few other states are able to produce such detailed analyses, as most must rely on national data for their local binge-drinking estimates.…”

“…Finally, Pacific Islanders were included with ''Other single/multiple race.'' Similar to other studies in which binge drinking among specific racial/ethnic groups was examined (25,26), covariates included socio-economic status (education, household income, and employment) and family structure (marital status and presence of children in the home). Some research has shown that immigrant Latinos (27) and immigrant Asians (28) binge drink less than their US-born counterparts.…”

Border Health in the Shadow of the Hispanic Paradox: Issues in the Conceptualization of Health Disparities in Older Mexican Americans Living in the Southwest

“…However, few studies have compared risk factors for diseases and mortality by border location. The few that have been conducted have focused on alcohol and drug abuse (Vaeth et al 2012; Shah et al 2012; Caetano et al 2012), birth defects (Lupo et al 2011), diabetes outcomes (Mier et al 2010), cancer screening (Fernández and Morales, 2007), and infectious disease risk (Pérez et al 2006). Moreover, most of these studies have made comparisons between cities or specific areas of the border/non-border, thereby failing to make the regional comparisons needed to best understand this dynamic.…”

Social Determinants of Alcohol Use and Heaving Episodic Drinking Among Hispanic Young Adults

“…This higher instance of alcohol use may be partially explained by the suggestion that Hispanic young adult see drinking as an earned right upon reaching maturity [28]. Given that most Hispanic youth start drinking before age 21, this predicts continued alcohol use in young adulthood [5]. Future research efforts should examine differences in Hispanic college graduate and non-college graduate alcohol use as well as associated consequences [22].…”

“…Factors associated with use include, but are not limited to, education, employment, income, and early age of alcohol initiation [2,[4][5][6]. More specifically the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) [2] found that increasing levels of education is positively correlated with elevated levels of alcohol use.…”