title: To your health!: Re-examining the health benefits of moderate alcohol use.
abstract: Although excessive alcohol use and alcohol misuse contribute to a broad range of health problems, recent research indicates that moderate alcohol consumption may in fact be beneficial. The present study builds on previous research to investigate the associations between alcohol use and self-rated health status among young adults. Using data collected in 2008 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we use ordered probit models to determine whether the protective effects of moderate alcohol use are present after controlling for demographic, lifestyle, family background, and health-related characteristics. Our findings generally support earlier research with older samples, but some key gender differences are present. For women (n = 8275), moderate drinkers have better self-rated health status relative to former drinkers, infrequent drinkers, and light drinkers. Among men (n = 7207), the effects are mixed and less often significant. Differences in results between men and women point to the need for further gender-specific research and studies with other measures of health.
authors: Department of Sociology and Health Economics Research Group, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Flipse Building, Room 122, P.O. Box 248251, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0719, USA. Electronic address: bsayed@mail.as.miami.edu.
authors: Bisma Ali
authors: BA
authors: Sayed
authors: Department of Sociology and Health Economics Research Group, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Flipse Building, Room 122, P.O. Box 248251, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0719, USA; Department of Health Sector Management and Policy, University of Miami, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 121F, P.O. Box 248162, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-2030, USA; Department of Sociology, University of Miami, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 121F, P.O. Box 248162, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-2030, USA; Department of Economics, University of Miami, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 121F, P.O. Box 248162, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-2030, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, 5202 University Drive, Merrick Building, Room 121F, P.O. Box 248162, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-2030, USA. Electronic address: mfrench@miami.edu.
authors: Michael T
authors: MT
authors: French
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000592:standards*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Health status; Moderate drinking; United States; Young adults