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Article: Alcohol consumption in older adults and Medicare costs.
- Article from:
- Health Care Financing Review
- Article date:
- March 22, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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INTRODUCTION
Alcohol consumption has effects on a myriad of physiological systems, particularly at high levels of consumption. The effects of heavy alcohol consumption on the central and peripheral nervous systems, gastrointestinal organs, liver, pancreas, and immune system are well described (U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, 2000). At the same time, moderate alcohol consumption (typically up to 14 drinks per week) is associated with apparent health benefits, including lower total mortality and lower rates of coronary heart disease than abstention or very light drinking among middle-aged and older adults (Colditz et al., 1985; Scherr et al., ...