We used nationally representative cross-sectional data (NHIS, 1997–2014) to describe unadjusted trends in drinking among more than 147,000 older adults ages 60+ by survey year, age group (60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80+) and birth cohort (<1925<1925–1935–1936–1945–1946–1954). Among adults age 60 + prevalence of current drinking trended upward over time among both men and women, though the increase was considerably more marked among women; binge drinking also trended upward among women. We also observed interesting findings about baby boomers that should be interpreted with caution as our study only included the leading edge of that cohort. Namely, at the age of 60–64, boomers of both genders appeared to have a higher prevalence of current drinking, and female boomers appeared to have a higher prevalence of binge drinking than others of the same age born into previous birth cohorts (1925–1935–1936–1945).
