Macro-level gender equality and alcohol consumption: A study across U.S. states

Higher levels of women's alcohol consumption have long been attributed to increases in gender equality. However, only limited research examines the relationship between gender equality and alcohol consumption. This study examined associations between five measures of state-level gender equality and five alcohol consumption measures. Survey data regarding men's and women's alcohol consumption from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were linked to state-level indicators of gender equality created based on data from the Institute for Women's Policy Research. Gender equality indicators included women's economic/education status, gender equality in economic/education status, reproductive rights, violence against women policy, and women's political participation. Alcohol consumption measures included past-30 day drinker status, frequency, frequency of consuming five or more drinks, volume, and risky drinking. Other than drinker status, consumption is measured for drinkers only. Multilevel linear and logistic regression models adjusted for individual demographics as well as state-level income inequality, median income, and % evangelical/Mormon. All gender equality indicators were positively associated with both men's and women's drinker status in bivariate models; associations were not significant in models controlling for other state-level characteristics. With the exception of reproductive rights and frequency, all associations between gender equality and alcohol consumption were either negative or non-significant in models controlling for other state-level factors. Findings do not support the hypothesis that higher levels of gender equality lead to increased alcohol consumption. To the extent that associations are significant, findings suggest that higher levels of equality are associated with less alcohol consumption among both men and women.