Dr. Clark H. Denny, lead author of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, said that middle-aged American Indian and Alaska Native men reported lower levels of chronic drinking than non-Hispanic white men in the same age group.

"If true, the findings dispel myths that American Indians drink more than the general population. But it's also true that a small group of American Indians abuse alcohol greatly," said Denny. He explained that these individuals might not have been included in the study because they did not answer the telephone or have no phone.

The survey's results found that American Indians and Alaska Natives of all ages were less likely than whites to report that they currently drink. In addition, American Indian and Alaska Native men aged 45 and older reported a chronic drinking rate of 3.5 percent, compared with 7.6 percent for non-Hispanic white men the same age.

Chronic drinking rates, defined as consuming 60 drinks in a one-month period, were similar among younger Native American and white men.

The survey's results were presented at a recent meeting of the American Public Health Association.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Miss Yazzie on 09 Sep 08 10:34 AM EDT

We know the extent to which alcohol is abused among our people, these numbers only tell us those who were contacted and admitted their problem. Most alcoholics will not admit this to a survey, especially if they believe it will reflect badly on their people. It is up to us to care for one another and keep fighting for healthy families, no matter what the numbers say.

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