Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individual alcohol consumption depends on living conditions at different territorial and environmental levels. This study examined the influence of regional living conditions on individual alcohol consumption based on the results of a large Russian nationwide study (2012-2022). Study Design: A cross-sectional multicenter observational study. METHODS: Individual data from three stages of the Russian nationwide study, including the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors in the Regions of the Russian Federation (ESSE-RF1) (2012-2014), ESSE-RF2 (2017-2018), and ESSE-RF3 (2020-2022), were used for investigation. The study samples included 53,902 men and women aged 25-74 years from 31 regions. Individual data were combined with the annual values of four regional indices that characterize economic, demographic, social, and industrial environmental conditions. The analyzed outcomes included any alcohol consumption and binge drinking. RESULTS: The industrial development of regions was associated with an increased likelihood of any alcohol consumption (odds ratio [OR]: 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.59-1.72) and binge drinking (OR: 1.31, CI: 1.22-1.40). Improved economic (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.72-0.78), demographic (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.71-0.76), and social (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.53-0.56) living conditions exhibited inverse associations with any alcohol consumption. Similar inverse associations of binge drinking were noted with the economic (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76-0.92), demographic (OR: 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85-0.98), and social (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.73-0.82) indices. CONCLUSION: In general, our findings revealed the associations of alcohol consumption and binge drinking with the regional characteristics of living conditions.