Which demographic group has the lowest prevalence of alcohol use disorder in the United States?

• A. Native Americans
• B. Asian American and Pacific Islanders
• C. African Americans
• D. Hispanic Americans

Answer: (B)

Varying patterns of alcohol use disorder across racial and ethnic groups come from a mix of cultural norms, genetics, and exposure to drinking environments. National data consistently show that Asian American and Pacific Islander populations have the lowest prevalence of alcohol use disorder. This lower rate is often linked to cultural and religious norms that discourage heavy drinking, as well as genetic factors, such as ALDH2 deficiency in many East Asian individuals, which can cause flushing, nausea, and other uncomfortable reactions to alcohol, reducing the likelihood of heavy or dependent drinking. It’s also important to recognize there’s diversity within this broad group, and some subpopulations may have higher rates than others, but overall this category reports the lowest AUD prevalence compared with Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanic Americans in nationwide surveys.