Alcohol consumption and health status in older middle-aged and elderly persons: Findings from a longitudinal national population health survey.

The thesis objective was to assess the prospective relationship of alcohol consumption to mortality and changes in mental and functional health in older adults ten years later. In a national population survey, 4,187 participants aged 50 years and older at baseline provided information on alcohol consumption, potential confounders, and follow-up vital status. Odds ratios were estimated for mortality, increase in psychological distress, and decline in functional health. Compared with lifelong abstainers, light and moderate drinkers were at non-significantly lower risk of mortality. Among survivors, alcohol consumption showed no consistent relationship with increase in psychological distress. Occasional and light drinkers had significantly reduced risk of a substantial functional health decline, while moderate drinkers had non-significantly reduced risk. Findings suggest that light-to-moderate alcohol consumption confers some health benefits in older adults.--P.ii.