Differences in alcohol-related mortality between foreign-born and native-born Spaniards
Received 14 January 2009; received in revised form 13 July 2009; accepted 7 August 2009. published online 27 September 2009. Corrected Proof
Abstract
Background
Alcohol consumption is associated with high rates of mortality. This study aimed to analyse mortality attributable to alcohol consumption in foreign-born and native-born Spaniards in 2004 and to determine whether differences existed between these groups.
Methods
The number of deaths attributable to alcohol consumption was calculated by means of the alcohol-attributable fractions devised by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for calculating mortality rates in the USA. Alcohol-related mortality rates and age-adjusted mortality rates per 100,000 persons (using European standard population) were calculated by gender.
Results
The mortality rates attributable to alcohol per 100,000 inhabitants were lower among foreign-born Spaniards (7.0) than native-born Spaniards (16.7). Chronic conditions accounted for only 23.6% of all alcohol-related mortality for foreign-born Spaniards, but 60% for native-born Spaniards. The former were much more likely to suffer unintentional injuries, particularly road traffic accidents, while the latter showed high rates of alcohol-related death for digestive diseases, cardiovascular disorders, intentional injuries and malignant neoplasm.
Conclusion
Alcohol consumption is an important cause of death among the native-born Spanish population. The observed differences in alcohol-related mortality between native and foreign-born Spaniards should be considered when developing targeted harm reduction policies.
ABSTRACT