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Women in New York and nationwide face challenges with alcohol use.

Data from the state's Department of Health data showed 13% of adult New York women are heavy or binge drinkers. American Addiction Centers finds more female high school students engaged in binge drinking than men in 2019

Haven Battles, director of the alcohol surveillance and epidemiology program for the New York State Department of Health, said alcohol abuse can have severe health consequences for young women.

"Binge drinking is associated with a number of health outcomes, including motor vehicle injuries, violence, risky behaviors, alcohol poisoning, and others," Battles outlined.

Binge drinkers are at a greater risk for certain diseases like cirrhosis as they age. Battles noted U.S. Dietary Guidelines indicate women should have one drink or fewer per day but the guidelines are up for renewal this year and are subject to change.

Data show women’s alcohol consumption reached historic levels during the pandemic. A study by RTI International found women with kids under age five drank most excessively. Alcohol abuse rates for the category increased by 323% during the pandemic and five years later, alcohol use remains high.

Dr. Lisa Saul, chief medical officer for women's health at UnitedHealthcare, said stressful events in women's lives can cause them to turn to drinking.

"We see that drinking during pregnancy is something that we're seeing on the rise," Saul observed. "It's important to know that no amount of alcohol is safe in pregnancy, and can cause complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders."

She added as women nearing menopause feel the effects of alcohol more intensely due to hormonal shifts. Haven emphasized women in the same age range who abuse alcohol may see effects like heart disease, increased blood pressure and stroke.

Here's what it means.

A new report finds New York is bolstering school-based mental health, but has more work to do. The report from the group Inseparable finds the state has a high number of school psychologists and counselors, but lags in school social workers. The report also finds schools lack mentally healthy climates.

Daniel’s Law calls for trained professionals to respond to mental health crises instead of police. The bill is named for Daniel Prude, a Rochester man who died in 2019 after police officers wrestled him to the ground while responding to a mental health crisis.

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The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act would give tenants the first chance to buy their building if the owner decides to sell it. Renters could then work with community land trusts on the ownership model they want to have.

The Morris Ridge Solar project is a 177-megawatt solar field, generating enough electricity to power 47,000 homes. It is the first grid-scale project in service and contributing to New York’s clean energy goals. The project is expected to generate $1 million in new revenue for the town of Mount Morris in its first year.

New York's snowy winter could trigger what experts now know as seasonal affective disorder.
More than 1 million New Yorkers suffer from it during the winter months. Studies show people with the condition tend to sleep more, feel tired and depressed in the winter. It usually appears when people are age 20-30, and can impair cognitive function, cause a loss of interest in hobbies and make people more isolated.
Bridget Rippe, president of the Psychological Association of Western New York, said seasonal affective disorder differs from the winter blues.
"When we look at the impact of how it affects an individual in terms of the frequency of the symptoms, it's different than just not wanting to go out on a cold day, versus four to five months at a time, and the intensity of the symptoms, too," Rippe explained.
Rippe suggested people see their physician first to rule out other causes. Treatments for seasonal affective disorder include light therapy to mimic sunlight and talk therapy to reduce avoidant behavior and negative thoughts, and learn how to manage stress. She noted medications could also be necessary.
Self-diagnosing seasonal affective disorder can lead to people not understanding the severity of it.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said even when you are feeling blue, it is important not to close yourself off from people you enjoy, since social health is directly tied to physical health.
"People who have strong social connections actually live longer," Randall pointed out. "When we think about longevity and quality of life, those strong ties to friends and family are very good for our health. So, surrounding yourself with a support network is important."
Seasonal affective disorder is not only confined to winter. Studies show 10% of people get it in the spring and summer. Along with maintaining a good social network, regular physical activity and getting enough sleep can help people cope.