Gender Differences in the Epidemiology of Alcohol Use and Related Harms in the United States

Course overview

This course is based upon material published in Alcohol Research and is available as an open access article. Over the past century, differences in alcohol use and related harms between males and females in the United States have diminished considerably. In general, males still consume more alcohol and experience and cause more alcohol-related injuries and deaths than females do, but the gaps are narrowing. Among adolescents and emerging adults, gaps in drinking have narrowed primarily because alcohol use among males has declined more than alcohol use among females. Among adults, alcohol use is increasing for women but not for men. Rates of alcohol-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths all have increased among adults during the past two decades. Consistent with the changing patterns of alcohol use, increases in these outcomes have been larger for women. Recent studies also suggest that females are more susceptible than males to alcohol-induced liver inflammation, cardiovascular disease, memory blackouts, hangovers, and certain cancers. Prevention strategies that address the increases in alcohol consumption and unique health risks for women are needed. This course on gender differences in alcohol use is designed for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, and substance abuse counselors, who do clinical work. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop or increase their knowledge of alcohol use differences between genders. The course material includes a literature review of prevention strategies. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical continuing education courses for license renewal. Author: Aaron M. White Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding gender differences in alcohol use. Specifically, a professional will: Describe differences in alcohol use patterns between male and female adults Recognize differences in alcohol use patterns between male and female adolescents Summarize differences in health outcomes between male and female alcohol users Citation: White, A. M. Gender Differences in the Epidemiology of Alcohol Use and Related Harms in the United States. Alcohol Research 2020; 40(02):01. Visit us online for a full year of unlimited online CEUs.