QuickStats: Percentage of Men Aged 25–74 Years Who Consume ≥15 Alcoholic Drinks Per Week,* by Age Group and Veteran Status† — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2011–2013§

Weekly

February 20, 2015 / 64(06);160

The figure above is a bar chart showing that during 2011-2013, male veterans aged 25-74 years were more likely to consume an average of ≥15 alcoholic drinks per week (i.e., " heavy drinking ") in the last year compared with nonveterans (7% versus 5%). Among men aged 25-34 years, the proportion of veterans who were heavy drinkers was 9%, higher than the 6% observed in nonveterans. Similarly, veterans were more likely than nonveterans to be heavy drinkers among men aged 55-64 years (7% versus 5%) and men aged 65-74 years (7% versus 4%). There was no significant difference in the proportion of veterans compared with nonveterans who were heavy drinkers among men aged 35-44 years or men aged 45-54 years.

* Defined as having consumed at least 12 alcoholic drinks (of any type) in lifetime, and in the last year consuming on average ≥15 alcoholic drinks per week.

† Veterans are those who have ever served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, military reserves, or National Guard but are not now on full-time active duty with the armed forces. During 2011–2013, veterans accounted for 18% of the male population aged 25–74 years, ranging from 6% among men aged 25–34 years to 45% for those aged 65–74 years.

§ Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the noninstitutionalized U.S. civilian population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey sample adult component.

¶ 95% confidence interval.

Alternate Text: The figure above is a bar chart showing that during 2011-2013, male veterans aged 25-74 years were more likely to consume an average of ≥15 alcoholic drinks per week (i.e., "heavy drinking") in the last year compared with nonveterans (7% versus 5%). Among men aged 25-34 years, the proportion of veterans who were heavy drinkers was 9%, higher than the 6% observed in nonveterans. Similarly, veterans were more likely than nonveterans to be heavy drinkers among men aged 55-64 years (7% versus 5%) and men aged 65-74 years (7% versus 4%). There was no significant difference in the proportion of veterans compared with nonveterans who were heavy drinkers among men aged 35-44 years or men aged 45-54 years.

During 2011–2013, male veterans aged 25–74 years were more likely to consume an average of ≥15 alcoholic drinks per week in the last year ("heavy drinking") compared with nonveterans (7% versus 5%). Among men aged 25–34 years, the proportion of veterans who were heavy drinkers was 9%, higher than the 6% observed in nonveterans. Similarly, veterans were more likely than nonveterans to be heavy drinkers among men aged 55–64 years (7% versus 5%) and men aged 65–74 years (7% versus 4%). There was no significant difference in the proportion of veterans compared with nonveterans who were heavy drinkers among men aged 35–44 years or men aged 45–54 years.

Source: National Health Interview Survey data, 2011–2013. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.

Reported by: Carla E. Zelaya, PhD, vdn3@cdc.gov, 301-458-4164; Renee M. Gindi, PhD.