Alcohol consumption among older adults in the United States amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

The impact of COVID-19 on the drinking behavior of older US adults was minimal in terms of binge or heavy drinking, although the overall rates of alcohol consumption among this group declined. Reports among other US age groups showed increased consumption and deaths from alcohol use. Future research is needed to determine the causes for the overall decrease in consumption or adaptive measures that this group may have taken, which led to minimal changes in binge or heavy drinking in contrast to younger populations.