Study Finds Alcohol-Related Deaths in the U.S. Have Nearly Doubled Over Two Decades

December 12, 2024 TruthUSA

Young adults face the greatest impact, while the Midwest registers the most significant surge, according to researchers.

Alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled between 1999 and 2020, with young adults most affected, as highlighted by a recent study from Florida Atlantic University.

The research revealed a fourfold increase in alcohol-related fatalities among individuals aged 25 to 34, a trend that experts attribute to heightened stress, mental health issues, and a widespread drinking culture.

Health care providers and patients should recognize that “individuals consuming moderate to large amounts of alcohol have the highest risks of premature mortality and morbidity,” noted Dr. Charles H. Hennekens, a research professor at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University and co-author of the study, in an interview with The Epoch Times.

Sex Disparities in Alcohol-Related Mortality

The number of alcohol-related deaths surged from 19,356 to 48,870, marking a twofold increase, according to a study published in The American Journal of Medicine in November. The mortality rate rose from 10.7 per 100,000 in 1999 to 21.6 per 100,000 in 2020.

The researchers examined trends in alcohol-related fatalities using data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER).

“Our study identified significant gender disparities in alcohol-related mortality,” stated Panagiota “Yiota” Kitsantas, senior and corresponding author, a professor at Florida Atlantic University, in a press release. “While men had higher overall death rates, women experienced a disproportionately greater increase, likely reflecting changing social norms and targeted marketing by the alcohol industry.”

Results showed that although both genders faced rising alcohol-related deaths, males had the highest rates in both 1999 and 2020, with the most significant overall increase. Conversely, women saw a notable proportional rise, with deaths escalating from 4.8 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12 per 100,000 in 2020.

Increased mortality rates can also be attributed to cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks and strokes, along with certain types of cancer and cirrhosis of the liver, according to Hennekens.

Regional Trends and the Response to Alcohol Mortality

The Midwest has seen the most significant rise in alcohol-related deaths, with rates climbing 2.5 times, followed by the Northeast, West, and South regions. The study highlighted a steep increase in alcohol-related deaths among Asian and Pacific Islander communities as well, with rates going up 2.4 times.

“Tackling these issues through tailored interventions could mitigate the escalating alcohol mortality crisis in the U.S.,” Kitsantas asserted, stressing the need for focused public health strategies.

Hennekens emphasized the urgent need for alcohol use screening in primary care settings, given that heavy drinking is a leading cause of total mortality and cardiovascular issues. Coexisting conditions like obesity can worsen liver damage, leading to earlier onset of cirrhosis and liver cancer, he noted in the press release.

“These compounding effects may lead to greater and earlier occurrence of alcohol-related mortality,” he commented to The Epoch Times.

The Role of Mental Health and Social Factors

As alcohol consumption rises, especially among younger people, and polydrug use (combining alcohol with other substances like opioids) grows more common, overdose rates have increased, noted Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, a provider of neuropsychological assessments in New York City, in an interview with The Epoch Times.

“With the rise of mental health issues such as stress and loneliness, many individuals turn to alcohol for temporary relief, as it is legal and widely available,” she explained. “Additionally, access to affordable addiction treatment remains limited, with programs like Alcoholics Anonymous often insufficient on their own.”

Hafeez warned that the normalization of alcohol in American culture has rendered its dangers underemphasized in early education, unlike illicit drugs. “Addressing this issue will require improved public health initiatives,” she added.

What Can Be Done?

Hafeez proposed that reducing the number of alcohol-related deaths requires a holistic strategy.

She advocates for early intervention and mental health services integrated into primary care education, the enactment of harm-reduction policies, and enhanced public awareness regarding alcohol, stress, and mental health.

Additionally, she urges for stricter alcohol advertising regulations, particularly concerning those under 21 on social media channels.

Hafeez contends that young individuals often view alcohol as glamorous, especially since many celebrities promote liquor brands.

A significant challenge is the lack of affordable options for both inpatient and outpatient treatment, which can inhibit those in need from seeking assistance, Hafeez pointed out.

“The rising death toll from alcohol highlights the urgent need to address the emotional and mental health issues driving dangerous drinking,” she said. “Changing public perceptions of drinking and ensuring that prevention and treatment involve comprehensive, personalized strategies is essential.”

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