One out of 10 US adults aged ≥ 65 years is a "current binge drinker," a new study found. It is sobering data and a call to action for primary care.
Study participants were 10 927 adults, aged ≥ 65 years, from the 2015 to 2017 administrations of the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
The slide show above highlights key findings from the study followed by a short check-list from the American Academy of Family Physicians to help primary care physicians evaluate how their practice currently approaches screening and intervention for alcohol use at risky levels.
A study published July 31, 2019 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society esimates that 10.6% of US adults aged ⥠65 years are "current binge drinkers."Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive or risky alcohol use among all US adults and accounts for >50% of alcohol consumed. Study authors emphasize that older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of excessive alcohol use including potential exacerbation of chronic health conditions as well as interference with prescribed medication.Â