Il consumo di alcol in Italia: nuovi modelli di consumo, nuove conseguenze sulla salute

The Author describes the changes in alcohol consumption amongst Italian population. By analyzing many sources of data (national survey on general population and on specific samples), he explains the process of globalization in alcohol use patterns. The countries wine-prevalence (like Italy) are extending consumptions to other alcoholic beverages (i.e., beer). At the same time, the general quantity of alcohol consumed by Italians is decreasing from the ’70s. However, we must take into account the differences in patterns of drinking amongst different age class. For young people (under 40) the initiation of alcohol comes from beer and long-drinks, like in Nordic model of alcohol consumption. Instead, adult age class remains attached to Mediterranean model, still preferring wine. Mainly younger subjects are changing the traditional way of drinking in Italy: they tend to drink more heavily in the weekend and episodes of binge drinking are more and more increasing. Voller illustrates also social inequalities in alcohol use and abuse: statistical analyses show heavy drinking and mortality are related to social stratification (lower socioeconomic class and instruction level), to smoking habits and to geographical areas.

Fabio Voller, Il consumo di alcol in Italia: nuovi modelli di consumo, nuove conseguenze sulla salute in "SALUTE E SOCIETÀ" Suppl. 1/2007, pp 98-127, DOI: