Not all Hispanics are the same when it comes to drinking

Hispanics are often grouped into a single category when it comes to alcohol use. Yet a new Michigan State University study indicates that the risk of alcohol abuse and dependence can vary significantly among different subgroups within the population.

Using pre-existing national data which looked at the incident rate of alcohol use disorders, or AUDs, over a period of time, Carlos F. Ríos-Bedoya, an assistant professor in the College of Human Medicine, is the first to determine that the annual incidence rate isn’t the same among all Hispanics and prevention efforts shouldn’t be the same either. Subgroups include Mexican-American, Puerto Rican and Cuban-American.

The study can be found in the most recent issue of the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism.

“The problem is major lifestyle and migration differences among these subgroups aren’t taken into account in most of the survey data that’s been collected,” Ríos-Bedoya said, who specializes in epidemiology of drug use. “The result is an inaccurate picture of this population.”

Hispanics are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States and often have been identified as having a higher risk for alcoholism. Yet, Ríos-Bedoya counters that stereotype, showing that one group in particular, Cuban-Americans, has the lowest incidence rate – less than 1 percent – among their counterparts. They also are half as likely to develop a drinking problem than non-Hispanic whites.

“Cuban-Americans typically come into America as political refugees with no threat of immigration laws and have been able to thrive and become part of mainstream society,” Ríos-Bedoya said. “They don’t face as much adversity as, say, Mexican-Americans, who often cross the border illegally and find themselves with little to no options to become part of the mainstream.”

Alcohol Consumption Among Hispanics

There are plenty of options available when it comes to having an alcoholic beverage. One can choose between imported or domestic beverages, an endless list of mixed drinks, beer, wine, spirits, hard cider, malt liquor and much more. Not to mention brand options, price points and quality differences.

So when it comes to making a selection, what do Hispanics typically purchase? Well, that answer can certainly vary by gender, age, income and many other factors. However, there is one type of alcoholic drink that outperforms all others; Beer. Looking further into the beer category, overall Hispanics lean more towards imported beer. However, according to Mintel, English preferred Hispanics have a higher inclination towards domestic beer.

Mintel also finds that juice and soda combinations as well as specialty cocktails do well with Hispanic woman: More so, among women ages 21-34. Hispanic women 55+ who drink hard alcohol or distilled spirits are least likely to drink a shot (10%) compared to 52% of women ages 21-34. One in three Hispanic males who consume hard alcohol or distilled spirits drink specialty cocktails. But compared to women, men are less likely to drink specialty cocktails despite age breakdowns. That doesn’t come to a big surprise. I’ve rarely, really rarely, seen a Hispanic man with a martini at hand. Not to say they don’t consume it, it’s just not that common.