Drinking patterns and alcohol problems among Hispanics in the U.S.: a review.

The literature on drinking patterns and alcohol problems among Hispanic Americans is critically reviewed. The picture provided by studies which have been examined indirect indicators of alcohol problems is contradictory. Some results suggest that Hispanics in the U.S.A. are over-represented among alcohol-related deaths and among those arrested for drunk driving and in treatment in alcoholism programs. Other studies do not provide evidence of over-representation. Studies in the general population indicate that there is more heavy drinking and alcohol-related problems among Hispanics than among other ethnic groups in the U.S.A. general population. However, very few of these studies were specifically designed to evaluate alcohol use and problems among this ethnic group, and these results are based on the analysis of a small number of Hispanic respondents. In the conclusions this and other methodological limitations are discussed and new areas for study are proposed.