Metropolitan-area estimates of binge drinking in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
We estimated adult binge drinking prevalence in US metropolitan areas.


METHODS
We analyzed 1997 and 1999 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 120 metropolitan areas in 48 states and the District of Columbia.


RESULTS
The prevalence of binge drinking varied substantially across metropolitan areas, from 4.1% in Chattanooga, Tenn, to 23.9% in San Antonio, Tex, (median = 14.5%). Seventeen of the 20 metropolitan areas with the highest estimates were located in the upper Midwest, Texas, and Nevada. In 13 of these areas, at least one third of persons aged 18 to 34 years were binge drinkers. There were significant intrastate differences for binge drinking among metropolitan areas in New York, Tennessee, and Utah.


CONCLUSIONS
Metropolitan-area estimates can be used to guide local efforts to reduce binge drinking.
Nelson
David E
DE
Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. den2@cdc.gov
Naimi
Timothy S
TS
Brewer
Robert D
RD
Bolen
Julie
J
Wells
Henry E
HE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002423:Cause of Death; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*