Native Americans and alcohol: past, present, and future.
Native Americans have higher rates of alcohol use, frequency of use, and increased rates of fetal alcohol syndrome, compared with other ethnic groups (J. Hisnanick, 1992; P. A. May, 1996; J. M. Wallace et al., 2003). High prevalence rates of alcohol misuse among Native Americans must be understood in light of their unique history, which has resulted in trauma and exposure to many risk factors for problem alcohol use. Many risk factors have been identified in the general population; however, only some of these risk factors have been examined among Native American populations. The unique history and world view of Native Americans mean that, often, risk factors operate differently from the way they do in other populations. The authors discuss interventions and promising treatments.
Szlemko
William J
WJ
Colorado State University, Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research, Fort Collins 80253, USA.
Wood
James W
JW
Thurman
Pamela Jumper
PJ
D000436:Alcoholics Anonymous; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D011247:Pregnancy; D011287:Prejudice; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D014481:United States