Naomi Greene1, Renee M Johnson2, Joanne Rosen3, Danielle German4, Joanna E Cohen5. 1. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States. Electronic address: ngreene9@jhmi.edu. 2. Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States. Electronic address: rjohnson@jhu.edu. 3. Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States. Electronic address: jrosen55@jhu.edu. 4. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States. Electronic address: danielle.german@jhu.edu. 5. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States. Electronic address: jcohen@jhu.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alcohol policies reduce population-level binge drinking; however, they may not reduce binge drinking disparities between different populations. We examined the association between the alcohol policy environment and binge drinking among Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual adults in the presence and absence of state laws protecting LGB people from discrimination. METHODS: The 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) provided information about individual-level binge drinking, sexual identity, and individual-level covariates. The Alcohol Policy Scale (APS) score measures the strength of the alcohol policy environment. Presence of state-level nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation came from the Movement Advancement Project. Logistic regression models were used to test whether nondiscrimination statutes modified the association between the alcohol policy environment and binge drinking and whether this interaction differed for LGB and heterosexual adults. RESULTS: Among women, a 10 percentage-point increase in APS score was significantly associated with 7% lower odds of binge drinking in states with inclusive nondiscrimination laws (aOR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.97; p = 0.0003]) but was not associated with binge drinking in states without inclusive laws (aOR: 0.98 [95% CI: 0.93-1.03] p = 0.4781). Moreover, binge drinking disparities comparing lesbian/bisexual women with heterosexual women were narrower in states with inclusive nondiscrimination laws. No significant association was found among men. CONCLUSIONS: Binge drinking disparities between lesbian and heterosexual women are negligible in states with inclusive laws and strong alcohol policy environments. Inclusive nondiscrimination laws are an indicator of less structural stigma directed at lesbian and bisexual women.
BACKGROUND: Alcohol policies reduce population-level binge drinking; however, they may not reduce binge drinking disparities between different populations. We examined the association between the alcohol policy environment and binge drinking among Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual adults in the presence and absence of state laws protecting LGB people from discrimination. METHODS: The 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) provided information about individual-level binge drinking, sexual identity, and individual-level covariates. The Alcohol Policy Scale (APS) score measures the strength of the alcohol policy environment. Presence of state-level nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation came from the Movement Advancement Project. Logistic regression models were used to test whether nondiscrimination statutes modified the association between the alcohol policy environment and binge drinking and whether this interaction differed for LGB and heterosexual adults. RESULTS: Among women, a 10 percentage-point increase in APS score was significantly associated with 7% lower odds of binge drinking in states with inclusive nondiscrimination laws (aOR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.89-0.97; p = 0.0003]) but was not associated with binge drinking in states without inclusive laws (aOR: 0.98 [95% CI: 0.93-1.03] p = 0.4781). Moreover, binge drinking disparities comparing lesbian/bisexual women with heterosexual women were narrower in states with inclusive nondiscrimination laws. No significant association was found among men. CONCLUSIONS: Binge drinking disparities between lesbian and heterosexual women are negligible in states with inclusive laws and strong alcohol policy environments. Inclusive nondiscrimination laws are an indicator of less structural stigma directed at lesbian and bisexual women.
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