Funded by the Ministry of Health, Alcohol Healthwatch and Women's Health Action commissioned research with the aim of addressing the knowledge gap on women and alcohol and to better inform policy and programme development. The research on women and alcohol was reviewed, and key informants interviewed, who daily encounter the impacts of in women's lives. In particular the research asked:
-What are the patterns of drinking among women, have these changed over time, and if so, how?
-What harms result for women from their own and others' drinking"
-Is the impact of alcohol on women's ealth - either through their own drinking or that of others - a growing concern?
-If so, what are the major influences on women' s drinking or the harm to women from others' drinking?
-What is currently working to prevent or reduce harm to women from their own or other people's alcohol consumption?

This briefing paper provides a context to the research. It then summarises the findings including those related to the prevalence of women's drinking; the harmful effects of alcohol on women; risks and protective factors that influence women's drinking; and interventions that are or may be effective at reducing alcohol-related harm for women. It concludes with a set of recommendations to help ensure that steps to reduce alcohol harm will improve health outcomes for women. The full research report on which this paper is based is available to download from www.ahw.org.nz or www.womens-health.org.nz.