Drinking in Mexico by Whites and Hispanics on California’s Border

A new study from the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation finds that those who: live near the border, are Hispanic, and regularly drink alcohol are more likely than their counterparts to engage in heavier drinking in Mexico.

The study compares drinking patterns of Whites and Hispanics who, after crossing the U.S./Mexico border, drink or do not drink. Data came from a household survey of 1,209 California adults ages 18 to 39.

Results:

• Residence near the US/Mexico border increases the likelihood of drinking in Mexico.
• The most likely to drink in Mexico are:
  • Hispanics,
  • those who drink more frequently, and
  • those who drink 6 or more drinks in day.

Multiple reasons for increased drinking: the risk associated with drinking in Mexico is not the result of a single factor. Problems arise from a complex interaction of factors such as:

• the density of outlets in specific touristic locations near the border,
• the types of drinkers,
• the characteristics of bars,
• the interaction between drinkers in bars,
• the regulatory structure of drinking in bars
• levels of enforcement.

Lead Author, Dr. Raul Caetano notes that:  “Exposure to riskier drinking environments is associated with heavier drinking, alcohol intoxication, and alcohol-related problems such as aggression, sexual violence, and injuries. Policymaking that constrains these types of cross-border increases are in the interest of public health.”

Source: Caetano, Raul, Patrice AC Vaeth, Paul J. Gruenewald, William R. Ponicki, and Zoe Kaplan. "Drinking in Mexico by Whites and Hispanics on and off the US/Mexico border in California." Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse (2021): 1-19.

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