[Regional differences in the prevalence of high-risk alcohol drinking: secondary analysis of the East-West health survey].

Basing on a reanalysis of the public use file "Health Survey East and West Germany", the regional distribution of at risk alcohol consumption in Germany was examined in a representative sample of 7,466 adults. Substantial differences were seen in the prevalence rates between the German Federal Lands (provincial states), also if the social class, number of inhabitants of the community, unemployment as well as age and sex are statistically controlled. Besides a higher prevalence in the Eastern parts of Germany with the newly formed Federal Lands, there is a decrease in prevalence from south to north, mainly caused by the frequency of beer consumption. The results underline the importance of specific regional epidemiological data for public health-related interventions.