Acculturation, alcohol consumption, and casualties among United States Hispanics in the emergency room.

The association of alcohol consumption and casualties was analyzed among Hispanic emergency room patients to determine whether level of acculturation and accompanying changes in drinking patterns influence risk of alcohol-related injuries. A sample of patients admitted to a county hospital emergency room during a 1-year period was breathalyzed and interviewed (N = 1,102). Of these, 112 identified themselves as Hispanic. Hispanic males were more likely than non-Hispanics to have positive breathalyzer readings, to report drinking prior to the event, and to attribute a causal association of drinking with the event. These findings were most pronounced among those in the moderate and high acculturation groups.