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Joaquim Cardoso MSc
Founder and Chief Researcher, Editor & Strategist
March 27, 2024
What is the message?
The annual deaths from excessive alcohol use have surged by nearly 30% from 2016 to 2021 in the United States, with a significant rise in both men and women.
This alarming trend demands urgent attention and calls for comprehensive prevention strategies.
This summary is based on the article “Annual deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by nearly 30% from 2016 to 2021” published by Healio and written by Kate Burba on March 25, 2024.
What are the key points?
Rising Death Toll: The average annual deaths attributed to excessive alcohol consumption increased from 137,927 to 178,307 from 2016 to 2021, marking a 29.3% increase. This surge is particularly concerning as it signifies a substantial rise in alcohol-related mortality over the past few years.
Gender Disparities: Both men and women experienced a significant increase in alcohol-related deaths during this period. Deaths among men increased by 26.8%, while among women, the rise was even steeper at 34.7%. These statistics underscore the need for gender-specific interventions to address the escalating problem of excessive alcohol consumption.
Age-Standardized Rates: The age-standardized death rate per 100,000 population rose from 38.1 to 47.6 between 2016 and 2021. This indicates that the impact of excessive alcohol use on mortality is not only increasing in absolute numbers but also in terms of its prevalence within the population.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact: The years 2019 to 2020 witnessed particularly elevated rates of alcohol-related deaths, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This correlation suggests a potential interplay between the pandemic and increased alcohol consumption, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address pandemic-induced drinking behaviors.
What are the key statistics?
Annual deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by 29.3% from 2016 to 2021.
Age-standardized death rate rose from 38.1 to 47.6 per 100,000 population during the same period.
Deaths among men increased by 26.8%, and among women, the increase was 34.7%.
What are the key examples?
Gender Disparities: Deaths among men rose from 94,362 to 119,606, and among women, from 43,565 to 58,701.
Pandemic Influence: The spike in alcohol-related deaths coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the complex relationship between public health crises and substance abuse trends.
Conclusion
The findings of this study reveal a disturbing trend of escalating alcohol-related mortality in the United States.
Urgent action is needed to curb excessive alcohol consumption and mitigate its devastating consequences on public health.
Comprehensive prevention strategies, including evidence-based alcohol policies aimed at reducing availability, accessibility, and affordability of alcohol, are crucial in addressing this pressing issue.
By implementing these strategies, states and communities can work towards reversing the recent surge in alcohol-related deaths and safeguarding the well-being of individuals and communities nationwide.
To read the original publication, click here.
