A new report says binge drinking among women is under recognized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 14 million American women binge drink about three times a month and consume an average of six drinks per binge.
But binge drinking is not often recognized as a women's health problem. As a result, women are at an increased risk for many health problems.
The breakdown of the report shows that about 1 in 8 women and 1 in 5 high school girls report binge drinking.
Binge drinking was most common among women aged 18 to 34, whites and Hispanics and women with household incomes of $75,000 or more.
Roughly half of all high school girls who drink alcohol say they binge drink.
"Over the past couple decades, the rate of drinking among high school boys has fallen, but the rate among high school girls has stayed pretty much constant," said Dr. Thomas Friedman of the CDC.
The CDC says women are more susceptible to the harms of alcohol than men because, on average, they are smaller, become intoxicated at lower levels and even process alcohol differently.
"So even at the same level of alcohol consumption, they'll have a higher blood alcohol level, and of course they have specific health risks such as fetal alcohol syndrome, breast cancer and other serious health problems," said Friedman.
The report also indicates binge drinking causes roughly 23,000 deaths among women and girls in the United States each year.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:28:40 GMT
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer. A veteran dermatologist says he used to see three to five melanomas a year. Now, he says, he sees that many in a week!
Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:02 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:02:20 GMT
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs.
Hundreds of American troops have lost a leg or arm in Afghanistan because of improvised explosive devices or homemade bombs. It was 29-year-old John Kremer's job to find those hidden bombs, and safely destroy them. That's what the Buford man was trying to do, when one of them exploded right under his feet.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-15 22:42:54 GMT
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-14 11:48:46 GMT
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
There are more than 31 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Part D. And according to a recent survey, more than a third are worried about prescription drug costs.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-13 22:08:35 GMT
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section.
It was a risky delivery: a young mother who'd lost one baby at birth was delivering her second child by C-section. She was surrounded by more than a dozen specialists and nurses. But this high stakes birth wasn't in a hospital operating room. It was at Zoo Atlanta.
