Search

There is an ensuing debate about the convergence of drug abuse rates for men and women. This kind of convergence should be reflected in changes in the male/female distribution of negative health consequences among substance users. The present research examined the age-adjusted trends in substance users? health by race, sex and substance types (tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs) from 1985 to 1999. The measurement of health included both subjective (death) and objective factors (perceived health). Annual National Vital Statistics Reports were used to explore the trend of deaths due to substance use. The self-assessed health trend of substance users were estimated on the basis of National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. The results show that the gender-specific health trend of smokers may be fit for the diffusion process better than people who drink alcohol and use illicit drugs. We also find that in terms of deaths related to substance use, the gender gap is greater than the racial gap. As for the perceived health status, the racial gap is larger than the gender gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]