Title |
Nondrinker Mortality Risk in the United States
|
---|---|
Published in |
Population Research and Policy Review, January 2013
|
DOI | 10.1007/s11113-013-9268-7 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Richard G. Rogers, Patrick M. Krueger, Richard Miech, Elizabeth M. Lawrence, Robert Kemp |
Abstract |
The literature has shown that people who do not drink alcohol are at greater risk for death than light to moderate drinkers, yet the reasons for this remain largely unexplained. We examine whether variation in people's reasons for nondrinking explains the increased mortality. Our data come from the 1988-2006 National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality File (N= 41,076 individuals age 21 and above, of whom 10,421 died over the follow-up period). The results indicate that nondrinkers include several different groups that have unique mortality risks. Among abstainers and light drinkers the risk of mortality is the same as light drinkers for a subgroup who report that they do not drink because of their family upbringing, and moral/religious reasons. In contrast, the risk of mortality is higher than light drinkers for former drinkers who cite health problems or who report problematic drinking behaviors. Our findings address a notable gap in the literature and may inform social policies to reduce or prevent alcohol abuse, increase health, and lengthen life. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Comoros | 1 | 20% |
France | 1 | 20% |
Australia | 1 | 20% |
Unknown | 2 | 40% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 5 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 1 | 4% |
Unknown | 27 | 96% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Researcher | 6 | 21% |
Professor > Associate Professor | 5 | 18% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 3 | 11% |
Student > Postgraduate | 2 | 7% |
Student > Master | 2 | 7% |
Other | 4 | 14% |
Unknown | 6 | 21% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Social Sciences | 6 | 21% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 5 | 18% |
Psychology | 4 | 14% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 7% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 2 | 7% |
Other | 4 | 14% |
Unknown | 5 | 18% |