# Examining differential effects of state equality-promoting policies on harmful alcohol use among sexual and gender minority adults in the U.S.: an econometrics approach for causal inference

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2024 · $40,956

## Abstract

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY
Hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking, the deadliest form of excessive alcohol use1-3, are substantially
more prevalent among sexual and gender minority adults compared to their cisgender straight counterparts4-11.
Minority stress from structural stigma drives sexual and gender minority health disparities12-16, but its potential
effect on binge drinking and hazardous alcohol use has yet to be rigorously examined.
Structural stigma is potentially amenable to intervention by equality-promoting policies at the state level that
explicitly name sexual and gender minority people as protected classes in employment, housing, public
accommodations, and other essential services17. The extent to which changes in state equality-promoting
policies relate to changes in binge drinking and hazardous alcohol use for sexual and gender minority adults
compared to their cisgender straight counterparts is unknown and the focus of the proposed study.
This study aims to evaluate differential effects of state equality-promoting policies (Aim 1) and key policy
domains (Aim 2) on binge drinking and hazardous alcohol use among sexual and gender minority adults. Non-
randomized variation in state equality-promoting policies necessitates the application of advanced
econometrics methods. To rigorously estimate effects and make causal inferences, triple differences models
and identifiability assumptions will be specified to analyze nationally representative data18 on over 72,000
sexual and gender minority adults linked with indices of state equality-promoting policies19 from 2014-2022.
The landscape of equality-promoting policies for sexual and gender minority people is ever evolving. This study
will offer a timely evidence base to inform needed structural interventions that reduce alcohol-related morbidity
and mortality among sexual and gender minority populations. With support from a premier mentorship team,
the applicant will build skills in (1) advanced econometrics methods for causal inference, (2) alcohol research
and social determinants of harmful alcohol use, and (3) identification of relevant and actionable social policies
that influence sexual and gender minority health. Achievement of these training goals will launch the
applicant’s career as a successful, independent researcher.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10912496
- **Project number:** 5F31AA030722-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Caitlin Marie Turner
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $40,956
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10912496

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10912496, Examining differential effects of state equality-promoting policies on harmful alcohol use among sexual and gender minority adults in the U.S.: an econometrics approach for causal inference (5F31AA030722-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10912496. Licensed CC0.

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