Percent of adults consuming four (women) or five (men) or more drinks on one occasion during the past 30 days

Measure Overview

Excessive use of alcohol is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes, such as chronic diseases, injuries, and early death. Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States. In addition to the potential harms of binge drinking at the individual level, binge drinking can cause physical, mental, and emotional harm to unborn children, family members, and other individuals exposed to binge drinking behavior, making it a serious public health issue. Understanding the prevalence of and trends in binge drinking across the U.S. and among different demographic groups can help identify areas for targeted interventions and inform policymakers and the general public on ways to combat excessive alcohol use.

State Health Compare provides annual, state-level rates of adults who reported binge drinking during the past 30 days. Estimates are available beginning in 2005 and are based on findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Two breakdowns are available for this measure: educational attainment and race/ethnicity.

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