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Alcohol Use Among Latinos: A Comparison of Pre-Immigration, Post-Immigration, and US Born Latinos

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Abstract

US born Latinos have higher rates of alcohol use than Latino immigrants. Yet, little is known about drinking patterns of Latinos before their immigration to the US This exploratory study compares the past month regular, binge, and heavy alcohol use patterns of Latino immigrants prior to immigration with that of post-immigration and US born Latinos. Data on past month alcohol use prior to immigration was collected from 516 recent adult Latino immigrants. Results were compared with US born and post-immigration Latinos using national aggregate data. Alcohol use patterns among Latino immigrants prior to immigration were similar to that of US born Latinos. Alcohol use patterns were lower among Latinos after immigration when compared to pre-immigration and US born Latinos. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of the drinking patterns of Latinos in the US before they immigrated to this country. Findings suggest more research is needed to uncover the underlying factors associated with the higher rates of alcohol use among Latinos prior to their immigration when compared to alcohol use patterns of post-immigration Latinos.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by award number P20MD002288 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Research on U.S. Latino HIV/AIDS & Drug Abuse (CRUSADA), Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., PCA 356, Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Mario De La Rosa, Mariana Sanchez, Frank R. Dillon, Beverly A. Ruffin & Timothy Blackson

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Seth Schwartz

Authors
  1. Mario De La Rosa
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  2. Mariana Sanchez
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  3. Frank R. Dillon
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  4. Beverly A. Ruffin
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  5. Timothy Blackson
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  6. Seth Schwartz
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Correspondence to Mario De La Rosa.

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De La Rosa, M., Sanchez, M., Dillon, F.R. et al. Alcohol Use Among Latinos: A Comparison of Pre-Immigration, Post-Immigration, and US Born Latinos. J Immigrant Minority Health 14, 371–378 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9498-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-011-9498-x

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