Men's drinking harms families worldwide
Men's heavy drinking harms women and children globally, says new study.
Why it matters
- Men's heavy drinking is linked to violence, neglect, and health problems for women and children.
- The issue is global, affecting up to one-third of women in some countries.
- Highlights the need for gender-responsive and alcohol policy action.
By the numbers
- Up to one-third of women globally cohabit with heavy-drinking partners.
- Harms are magnified in low/middle-income regions and high gender inequality societies.
- Men drink more heavily than women and are more likely to harm others when drinking.
The big picture
- Calls for urgent gender-responsive and alcohol policy action worldwide.
- Policies need to consider the experiences of women and children.
- Interventions should tackle harmful gender norms and empower women and children.
What they're saying
- Some skepticism about the study's gender focus.
- Comments reflect personal anecdotes and discussions on gender biases.
Caveats
- Study is based on reviews of 78 papers; data quality may vary.
- Findings highlight disparities but may not be uniformly applicable worldwide.
What’s next
- Urgent need for gender-responsive alcohol policies.
- Further research needed to address regional disparities and policy effectiveness.