Alcohol consumption and health among elders.
OBJECTIVE
This article estimates the effects of alcohol consumption on self-reported overall health status, injuries, heart problems, emergency room use, and hospitalizations among persons older than the age of 65.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the first wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a nationally representative study. We used multivariate regression and instrumental variables methods to study the associations between alcohol consumption (current drinking, binge drinking, and average number of drinks consumed) and several indicators of health status and health care utilization.


RESULTS
Alcohol consumption by women was associated with better self-perceived health status, improved cardiovascular health, and lower rates of hospitalizations. We detected no significant negative or positive associations for older men.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that light to moderate alcohol use by older women may have beneficial health effects. Experimental trials, however, are needed to more rigorously assess the potential benefits of alcohol use by elders due to the inherent biases of observational studies.
Balsa
Ana I
AI
Health Economics Research Group, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124-2030, USA.
Homer
Jenny F
JF
Fleming
Michael F
MF
French
Michael T
MT
D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology