Women in New York and nationwide face challenges with alcohol use.
Data from the state’s Department of Health data showed 13% of adult New York women are heavy or binge drinkers. American Addiction Centers finds more female high school students engaged in binge drinking than men in 2019.
Haven Battles, director of the alcohol surveillance and epidemiology program for the New York State Department of Health, said alcohol abuse can have severe health consequences for young women.
“Binge drinking is associated with a number of health outcomes, including motor vehicle injuries, violence, risky behaviors, alcohol poisoning, and others,” Battles outlined.
Binge drinkers are at a greater risk for certain diseases like cirrhosis as they age. Battles noted U.S. Dietary Guidelines indicate women should have one drink or fewer per day but the guidelines are up for renewal this year and are subject to change.
Data show women’s alcohol consumption reached historic levels during the pandemic. A study by RTI International found women with kids under age five drank most excessively. Alcohol abuse rates for the category increased by 323% during the pandemic and five years later, alcohol use remains high.
Dr. Lisa Saul, chief medical officer for women’s health at UnitedHealthcare, said stressful events in women’s lives can cause them to turn to drinking.
“We see that drinking during pregnancy is something that we’re seeing on the rise,” Saul observed. “It’s important to know that no amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy, and can cause complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.”
She added as women nearing menopause feel the effects of alcohol more intensely due to hormonal shifts. Haven emphasized women in the same age range who abuse alcohol may see effects like heart disease, increased blood pressure and stroke.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.