Sex differences in state level prevalence of alcohol use among Black women and men in the United States

To investigate differences in alcohol use among Black men and women across U.S. states, using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Measured any alcohol use, heavy drinking (i.e., 8+/15+ drinks for women/men in a 7-day period), and binge drinking (i.e., 4+/5+ drinks in one session). Weighted prevalence estimates were age-standardized to the 2000 US population. Binge drinking among Black men in Midwestern states was high, ranging from 40% in Minnesota to 45.8% in Iowa. Black women in Southern states had 6–10% points higher prevalence of heavy drinking than Black men. Drinking prevalence in Southern states was higher than expected, especially among Black women.