This month, the “Take Charge of Your Health Today” page focuses on alcohol use. Jennifer R. Jones, MPH, community engagement coordinator with the University of Pittsburgh CTSI, and Esther L. Bush, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, discussed the topic.
JJ: Good afternoon, Ms. Bush. It’s always a pleasure to talk with you, especially before the busyness of the holiday season. This month our focus is on alcohol use. This is a topic that we’ve never focused on in these “Take Charge” pages.
EB: I am glad we are talking about alcohol use and abuse. There is a fine line between the two. We all know that because the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 years old, we spend a lot of time and attention on underage drinking and telling minors about the negative effects of alcohol. Sometimes I think that we actually have uneducated adults on the subject. It’s not uncommon for many of us to look forward to a glass of wine at the end of the day or a beer at the ballgame as a way to relax and as a typical part of socializing. We can have a hard time figuring where, when or if use turns to abuse.
JJ: That is very true. Our society views minimal alcohol consumption in a positive way. What happens is that sometimes, one drink leads to two, which leads to three and four.
EB: I’m curious, Jennifer, what does research tell us about alcohol use? I’m sure there are many researchers at the University of Pittsburgh who focus on alcohol and the associated health outcomes.
JJ: Yes, there are. What is interesting to me is that research proves that everyone responds differently to alcohol. We just do not know why yet. Each person has a different combination of factors that make up their tolerance level (how much alcohol one can consume and how the alcohol affects them). These factors contribute to each person’s sensitivities to alcohol. Research has found that Whites drink more than any population in the United States and that African Americans drink less. However, there is some evidence that in some Black neighborhoods there are eight times more liquor stores than in mostly White neighborhoods.
EB: That is interesting. I remember reading that Dr. Mair’s research also shows the environment as being a factor in outcomes related to alcohol use. I know that alcohol abuse can lead to awful events occurring, like community violence, intimate partner violence, risky sexual practices and child neglect. I am glad that we have resources like Familylinks, Alcoholics Anonymous, and many other recovery programs for those struggling with alcohol addiction.
JJ: Certainly! Thank you for your time, Ms. Bush. The next time we talk it will be 2016. Our January focus is physical activity—a timely topic for those who are making New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, eat better or exercise more. I look forward to hearing your opinions on a Healthy New Year!
For more information or if you have any questions, e-mail partners@hs.pitt.edu.
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