Examining the Patterns, Sociodemographic, and Contextual Factors of Alcohol Use in Middle-Aged Women

A new Australian study, published today in the Drug and Alcohol Review journal, shows about 21% of women between 45 and 60 years of age are now consuming alcohol at “binge-drinking” levels.
This study demonstrates that increasing proportions of middle-aged women in Australia are using alcohol at levels that put them at risk of both short-term and long-term harms.
While alcohol use in this demographic is still lower than men and young people, their increases in alcohol consumption come in the context of population level declines in alcohol use. This, coupled with women’s increased susceptibility to alcohol-related health conditions, is a cause for public health concern.
This study identifies a number of sociodemographic and contextual factors significantly associated with high-risk alcohol use in middle-aged women. This knowledge can be used to guide future research and inform the design of interventions and policies that will help reduce alcohol use in women of this age group.