Vivian Marlowe
Alcohol-related deaths in the United States have been increasing over the years, with about 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. This includes deaths from chronic conditions caused by long-term alcohol consumption, such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer, as well as deaths from acute causes like binge drinking, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, and alcohol poisonings. The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in the increase in alcohol-related deaths, with sales of alcohol rising and people facing challenges in accessing health care. These deaths are preventable, and implementing policies to reduce alcohol availability and increase its price could help address this issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use | 178,307 during 2020-2021 |
| Average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use among males | 119,606 |
| Average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use among females | 58,701 |
| Average annual number of alcohol-related deaths | 261 |
| Deaths involving alcohol among people ages 16 and older | 99,017 in 2020 |
| Alcohol-related deaths among individuals ages 16 and older | 108,791 in 2021 |
| Deaths involving alcohol-associated liver disease | 33,097 in 2021 |
| Deaths due to drug overdoses with alcohol | 17,148 in 2021 |
| Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities | 13,524 in 2022 |
| Alcohol-related deaths in the Americas | 85,000 |
| Deaths from alcoholic liver disease | 18,164 |
| Deaths from hypertension brought on by excessive alcohol consumption | 3,584 |
| Deaths from alcohol dependence syndrome | 4,258 |
| Deaths from alcoholic psychosis | 703 |
| Deaths from alcoholic cardiomyopathy | 510 |
| Alcohol-related deaths in the US annually | 95,000 |
| Alcohol-related deaths in the world annually | Over 3 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Alcohol-related deaths increased by 29.3% from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021
- Alcohol is the leading preventable cause of death in the US
- Alcohol-related chronic conditions include liver disease, heart disease, and cancer
- Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 13,524 deaths in 2022
- Alcohol-related deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
Alcohol-related deaths increased by 29.3% from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021
Alcohol-related deaths in the United States have been on an upward trajectory for the past two decades, with a notable surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, alcohol-related deaths rose by 29.3%, a significant increase. This trend underscores the urgent need to address excessive alcohol consumption as a critical public health issue.
The data reveals a worrying trend in alcohol-related mortality, with the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use rising sharply in recent years. Specifically, the numbers increased from 137,927 in 2016-2017 to 178,307 in 2020-2021, translating to an age-standardized death rate increase from 38.1 to 47.6 per 100,000 population. This indicates that alcohol-related deaths are becoming more prevalent across all age groups.
When examining the impact on different genders, the data shows that deaths from excessive drinking among males increased by approximately 27%, from 94,362 per year to 119,606. Among females, the impact was even more pronounced, with a staggering 35% increase, from 43,565 per year to 58,701. These numbers highlight the pervasive nature of alcohol's impact on public health, affecting individuals regardless of gender.
The primary causes of alcohol-attributable deaths are varied and include chronic conditions such as liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, as well as alcohol use disorder. Binge drinking also plays a significant role, contributing to about one-third of alcohol-related deaths. This involves drinking too much alcohol on one occasion, leading to acute causes of death such as motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisoning, and suicides.
To address this growing crisis, experts recommend implementing comprehensive strategies and evidence-based alcohol policies. These policies aim to reduce the availability and accessibility of alcohol, increase its price, and encourage responsible drinking. By taking proactive measures, communities can help curb excessive alcohol consumption and mitigate the devastating impact it has on the lives of individuals and their loved ones.
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Alcohol is the leading preventable cause of death in the US
Alcohol-related deaths occur due to various causes, including chronic conditions and acute causes. Chronic conditions, which develop from drinking alcohol over time, account for about two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths. These include liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers of various types, hypertension, alcohol dependence syndrome, alcoholic psychosis, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and alcohol use disorder. Acute causes of death involve binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion, such as motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and suicides.
The rate of alcohol-related emergency department visits has also been increasing, with an average annual increase of 210,000 visits between 2006 and 2014. Alcohol is also a contributing factor in many deaths, with an analysis of death certificates showing that alcohol was listed as either the primary cause or a contributing factor in a significant number of deaths among individuals ages 16 and older.
The availability and accessibility of alcohol, as well as the challenges in accessing healthcare, have been identified as factors contributing to the increase in alcohol-related deaths. Policies that reduce the availability and accessibility of alcohol and increase its price could help reduce excessive alcohol consumption and related deaths. Additionally, addressing mental health conditions and improving access to treatment for substance use disorders can play a crucial role in preventing alcohol-related deaths.
Overall, alcohol-related deaths have a significant impact on public health in the US, and implementing evidence-based policies and interventions is essential to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.
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Alcohol-related chronic conditions include liver disease, heart disease, and cancer
Alcohol-related deaths in the United States have been on an upward trajectory over the past two decades. Between 2016 and 2017, approximately 137,927 people died from excessive alcohol use, with this figure increasing to 145,253 during 2018-2019 and then more sharply to 178,307 during 2020-2021. This equates to about 178,000 deaths per year.
These deaths are attributed to both drinking alcohol over several years and drinking too much on one occasion. Alcohol-related chronic conditions are a significant contributor to these figures, with about two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths (around 117,000) resulting from long-term alcohol consumption.
Chronic heavy drinking is detrimental to health and is a major risk factor for several serious health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, and cancer. Liver disease, for instance, can manifest in several ways due to alcohol consumption. Alcohol-related fatty liver disease, the most common form, occurs when excessive alcohol consumption leads to a build-up of fats in the liver, impairing its function. In more severe cases, chronic alcohol consumption can cause alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis, which is permanent liver damage characterised by scar tissue replacing healthy tissue. People with alcohol-related cirrhosis are also at an increased risk of developing liver cancer.
Excessive alcohol consumption is also a well-known risk factor for various types of cancer. Drinking alcohol is linked to an increased risk of cancers in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts, liver, colon, and breast. Furthermore, chronic heavy drinking can negatively affect the heart, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as congestive heart failure and heart attacks.
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Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 13,524 deaths in 2022
Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities are a significant and preventable cause of death in the United States. In 2022, there were 13,524 deaths caused by alcohol-impaired driving, accounting for 32% of total vehicle traffic fatalities. This represents a slight decrease of about 1% from 2021 and a continuation of the long-term downward trend since record-keeping began in 1982. While progress has been made, with a 41% reduction in drunk driving fatalities overall and an 83% decrease for those under 21, more work remains to eliminate drunk driving.
Alcohol-impaired crashes refer to incidents involving drivers or motorcycle operators with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher, the legal threshold for impaired driving. At this level, crash risk increases exponentially, and drivers are approximately four times more likely to crash than sober drivers. The negative effects of alcohol on the central nervous system impair thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination, all essential for safe driving.
Drunk driving fatalities disproportionately affect certain age groups, with the 35-39 and 45-49 age brackets having the highest percentage of drunk motorcycle riders killed in 2023. Additionally, underage drinking is a persistent issue, with about 30% of young drivers aged 15 to 20 killed in crashes having BACs above the legal limit. In 2022, an estimated two-thirds of drunk driving crashes involved at least one driver with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, far exceeding the legal limit.
To address drunk driving, many states have implemented per se laws, criminalizing driving with a BAC at or above the legal threshold. However, the availability and accessibility of alcohol remain contributing factors to alcohol-related deaths. Evidence-based policies that reduce alcohol availability and increase prices, such as limiting the number of alcohol retail outlets and raising alcohol taxes, could help reduce excessive alcohol consumption and related fatalities.
Overall, the United States has witnessed a troubling increase in alcohol-related deaths in recent years, with excessive alcohol use causing approximately 178,000 deaths annually. These deaths result from chronic conditions caused by long-term alcohol use and acute causes like binge drinking. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities represent a significant portion of these deaths, underscoring the urgent need for preventative measures and effective policies to address this preventable cause of death.
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Alcohol-related deaths increased during the COVID-19 pandemic
Alcohol-related deaths in the United States have been on an upward trajectory for the past two decades, with a notable surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic exacerbated the issue, leading to a significant rise in alcohol-related mortalities.
According to data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), alcohol-related deaths among individuals aged 16 and older increased during the first year of the pandemic, continuing to rise into the second year. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of alcohol-related deaths surged by 25.5%, from 78,927 to 99,017. This upward trend persisted, with a further 9.9% increase in 2021, bringing the total to 108,791. The annual total number of deaths increased by 25% between 2019 and 2020 and by another 10% between 2020 and 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in this increase in alcohol-related deaths. Several factors contributed to this rise, including the widespread availability of alcohol, the challenges of the pandemic, and the classification of liquor stores as essential businesses, allowing them to remain open. Additionally, the pandemic negatively impacted mental health and increased feelings of isolation, financial insecurity, and social isolation, leading to increased drinking.
The increase in alcohol-related deaths was not limited to a specific age group, affecting both males and females across almost all age groups. Alcohol-associated liver disease, a fully alcohol-related condition, saw a notable increase in mortality rates, rising from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people during the studied period. This increase was more pronounced among women, and concerning trends were observed among young people.
The average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by 29.3% from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, with approximately 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. This includes deaths from both long-term drinking and binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion. About two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths are from chronic conditions that develop over time, such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer, while one-third are from acute causes like binge drinking, motor vehicle crashes, and alcohol poisonings.
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Frequently asked questions
There are about 178,000 deaths from excessive alcohol use in the US each year. This includes deaths from drinking alcohol over several years and drinking too much on one occasion.
About two-thirds of alcohol-related deaths are from chronic conditions, which develop from drinking alcohol over time. This includes liver disease, heart disease, and alcohol use disorder. The remaining one-third of alcohol-related deaths are from binge drinking or drinking too much on one occasion, including motor vehicle crashes, alcohol-involved drug overdoses, alcohol poisonings, and suicides.
The number of alcohol-related deaths in the US has generally increased over time. From 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by 29.3%, from 137,927 to 178,307. Alcohol-related deaths increased among all age groups during this period, with deaths among males and females increasing by approximately 27% and 35% respectively.
It is estimated that there are over 3 million annual deaths due to alcohol and drug use globally, with the majority occurring among men. The US contributes significantly to this figure, with alcohol being one of the leading preventable causes of death in the country.
