Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
Gender Equality, Drinking Cultures and Second-Hand Harms from Alcohol in the 50 US States
Katherine J Karriker-Jaffe1, Christina C Tam1, Won Kim Cook1
1Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA.
Background:
Gender inequality and cultures of binge drinking may increase the risk of second-hand harms from alcohol.
Methods:
Using the 2014-2015 National Alcohol Survey and 2015 National Alcohol's Harm to Others Survey (N = 7792), we examine associations of state-level gender equality measures (contraceptive access, abortion rights, women's economic equality) and binge drinking cultures (rates of men's and women's binge drinking) with individual-level indicators of second-hand harms by drinking strangers and partners/spouses.
Results:
In main effects models, only male binge drinking was associated with greater odds of harms from drinking strangers. There were significant interactions of gender equality with male binge drinking: High male binge drinking rates were more strongly associated with stranger-perpetrated harms in states low on contraceptive access or abortion rights compared to states high on these measures. Conversely, male binge drinking was more strongly associated with spouse/partner-perpetrated second-hand harms in states with more economic equality, compared to states lower on this measure.
Conclusions:
Detrimental effects of high male binge drinking rates may be modified by gender equality. Targeted interventions may reduce alcohol-related harms experienced by women in states with high rates of male binge drinking. Restrictions in access to contraception and abortion may exacerbate harms due to men's drinking.
Related Concept Videos
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Self-Help Support Groups
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Conduct Disorder
Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping

