Urbanicity and alcohol use epidemiology in the 21st century

Abstract

Purpose of reviewThis review aimed to gather recent studies that could identify the specificities in the relationship between urbanization and alcohol use epidemiology in the current century.Recent findingsAlthough we find lower rates of alcohol use among adolescents in urban environments than in rural ones, this difference tends to diminish until it disappears by the time they reach adulthood. In addition to excessive marketing and increased accessibility, several urban environment characteristics have been related to alcohol use. First, problematic alcohol use is linked to stress and mental health problems like depression and anxiety, which are common in metropolitan areas. Second, alcohol use behaviors are influenced by homelessness, loneliness, and deprivation in megacities, where female and male individuals have presented more similar alcohol use behaviors (i.e. gender convergence). Third, treatment levels for alcohol use disorders are very low.SummaryThere is a new epidemiological wave of alcohol consumption in large urban centers, largely influenced by advertisement and marketing. Social and psychological risk factors and subpopulations of interest were identified for preventive interventions in large urban centers (i.e. advertisement regulation). In addition, increasing the availability of treatment, including specific medications for alcohol use disorder, should be strongly encouraged.

Heavy drinking in men and women in Honduras: a secondary analysis of the Endesa 2019

“…44 The higher prevalence of problematic drinking noted in urban areas might be attributed to factors such as increased accessibility and marketing, as well as elevated stress levels and feelings of isolation. 45 Both male and female current smoking behaviors are associated with increased HD prevalence. The relationship is multifactorial, but one explanation is the heightened dopaminergic activation and subsequent dopamine release in the mesolimbic pathway.…”