A new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that an average of 488 deaths each day were reportedly due to excessive alcohol drinking.
488 Deaths Per Day Due To Excessive Alcohol Consumption
The report notes that the average number of deaths associated with excessive alcohol consumption rose by over 29% from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021. Back in 2016-2017, there were around 137,927 reported alcohol-associated deaths. In the period from 2020 to 2021, the number rose to 178,307.
The CDC and Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research researchers gathered data on 58 causes of death that were directly or indirectly associated with excessive alcohol use.
The increase was apparently observed across all ages. While there were more alcohol-associated deaths among men, the increase was higher among women, with a 35% rise from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021. Stroke and heart disease accounted for the highest death rates. For men, the increase was close to 27% for the same period, with the majority of deaths linked to alcohol-related chronic conditions.
The documented trend is not isolated. In the last twenty years, deaths due to excessive alcohol consumption have been rising across the US, the CDC notes. Studies have also observed that people purchased more alcohol, particularly wine and hard liquor, during the early stages of the pandemic. Binge drinking for adults ages 35 to 50 was also higher in 2022 compared to any year in the previous decade.
The CDC report notes that policies that are more permissive and that allowed carryout drinks and alcohol deliveries over the pandemic boosted the accessibility of alcohol. Some individuals could have also delayed medical assistance due to fears of getting infected with COVID-19. The report also notes that social isolation, loneliness, stress, and mental health conditions could have contributed to the increased death rates associated with excessive alcohol use over the pandemic.
The report authors suggest the creation of policies to limit alcohol access and raise prices. Dr. Marissa B. Esser, who is from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention of the CDC, explains that there is a lot of evidence regarding what works to prevent excessive alcohol consumption and to reduce harm related to alcohol. However, these strategies, which are known to work, are typically underused across the US. Reducing the accessibility and availability of alcohol or spreading out places that sell alcohol could all help foster environments that support the choice to drink less.
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Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is considered the leading cause of preventable death. Excessive drinking can result in deaths that are directly associated with alcohol, such as alcohol poisoning, alcoholic liver disease, suicide by excessive alcohol use, fetal alcohol syndrome, and crashes and falls, among others. Deaths could also be partially accounted for by excessive alcohol. These cases may include certain cancers, chronic hepatitis, stroke, and heart disease.
Though the study mainly focused on excessive alcohol intake, it does not gauge the dangers that come with all alcohol use levels. Nevertheless, there are studies that have shown that any drinking levels could lead to negative health impacts. The CDC also has a virtual tool for assessing own drinking.
The US Dietary Guidelines recommend that those who choose to drink not exceed two drinks a day (for men) and one drink a day (for women). This is implemented in order to lower health risks, though there is emerging evidence that shows that harm could surface even with lower drinking levels.
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