Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


About N C H S graphic and link
Información en Español
Fastats A-Z provides health statistics and links to additional sources of information
N C H S help graphic and link
Coming Events graphic and link
Surveys and Data Collection Systems graphic and link
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey graphic and link
National Health Care Survey graphic and link
National Health Interview Survey graphic and link
National Immunization Survey graphic and link
Longitudinal Studies of Aging (LSOAs)
National Survey of Family Growth graphic and link
State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey graphic and link
National Vital Statistics System graphic and link
Initiatives graphic and link
Aging Activities graphic and link
Disease Classification graphic and link
Healthy People graphic and link
Injury graphic and link
Research and Development graphic and link
Research Data Center
NCHS Press Room
News Releases graphic and link
Publications and Information Products graphic and link
Statistical Export and Tabulation System
Listserv graphic and link
Graphic and link to FEDSTATS and other sites
Download graphic
Adobe Acrobat Reader graphic and link
PowerPoint Viewer 2003 graphic and link
National Center for Health Statistics 3311 Toledo Road Hyattsville, Maryland 20782
Toll Free Data Inquiries 1-866-441-NCHS


CDC Home Search Health Topics A-Z
NCHS home page graphic and link
News Releases
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
1996 | 1995 | 1994

Fact Sheets and Media Advisories
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 |
1994
NCHS Home | CDC/NCHS Privacy Policy Notice | Accessibility
Search NCHS | Data Definitions | Contact us

CDC Releases Report on Alcohol Use in the United States

For Immediate Release: September 21, 2001

Contact: NCHS/CDC Public Affairs
(301) 458-4800
E-mail: nchsquery@cdc.gov

Alcohol Use Among Adults: United States, 1997-98. Advance Data No. 324. 20 pp. (PHS) 2001-1250.
View/download PDF 794 KB
View/download PDF for Companion Tables 226 KB

A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, "Alcohol Use Among Adults: United States, 1997-98," establishes baseline estimates to track changes in alcohol use in the United States across a range of demographic factors. This allows alcohol consumption to be compared to other life style variables such as smoking, physical activity, and body weight

The report, based on a survey of more than 68,000 adults over a 2-year period, shows alcohol use among U.S. adults varies according to sex, age, income, education, race, ethnicity, and marital status.

Highlights of the report include:

bullet graphicMen (69%) were more likely than women (56%) to be current drinkers (persons who have had at least 12 drinks in their lifetime and at least one drink in the previous year).

bullet graphicMen (30%) were more likely than women (12%) to have had at least five drinks in 1 day during the past year and about four times more likely (15% versus 4%) to have had this amount on at least 12 days in the past year.

bullet graphicAdults aged 25-44 years (71%) were the most likely to be current drinkers.

bullet graphicAdults 75 years and older were the least likely to be current drinkers (36%)

bullet graphicWhite (72%) and Hispanic men (65%) were more likely than black (57%) or Asian/Pacific Islander men (58%) to be current drinkers.

bullet graphicWhite women (62%) were more likely to be current drinkers than any other group of women (black, 40%; Hispanic, 40%; and Asian/Pacific Islander, 31%).

bullet graphicAbout 1 in 5 adults (21%) had five or more drinks in 1 day during the past year.

bullet graphicFor the first time, adults with a General Educational Development (GED) diploma were considered separately from those with a traditional high school diploma. GED recipients were more likely (26%) than any other education group to have had five or more drinks in 1 day during the past year.

bullet graphicMen (6%) were more likely than women (4%) to be classified as heavier drinkers.

bullet graphicCohabiting adults (9%) were more likely to be heavier drinkers (i.e. more than 14 drinks per week for men or more than seven drinks per week for women) than married adults (4%).

These data come from the National Health Interview Survey, an annual, nationally representative household survey of more than 100,000 people. The report can be found on-line at the CDC web site.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

 

News Releases
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
1996 | 1995 | 1994
Fact Sheets and Media Advisories
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000
1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 |
1994
NCHS Home | CDC/NCHS Privacy Policy Notice | Accessibility
Search NCHS |
Data Definitions | Contact us


CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z

This page last reviewed October 06, 2006

H H S Health and Human Services logo and link
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Health Statistics
Hyattsville, MD
20782

 

1-800-232-4636