Arielle Cruz
Alcohol consumption is a significant public health concern, with over 3 million annual deaths attributed to alcohol and drug use combined. While alcohol-related mortality has historically been higher among men, recent trends suggest a narrowing of this gap. In 2019, alcohol use resulted in 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women, with continuous heavy drinking being more prevalent among men. However, the rate of alcohol-induced deaths among women is increasing at a faster pace, with a 34.7% increase in alcohol-attributable deaths between 2016-2017 and 2020-2021. This shift may be due to societal changes that have led to increased alcohol consumption among women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol-attributable mortality | 2 million deaths among men, 600,000 among women in 2019 |
| Percentage of all deaths attributable to alcohol | 6.7% of all deaths among men, 2.4% among women in 2019 |
| Average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use (2020-2021) | 120,000 among men, 59,000 among women |
| Percentage increase in the number of deaths from excessive alcohol use (2016-2017 to 2020-2021) | 27% among men, 35% among women |
| Average per capita alcohol consumption | 8.2 litres for men, 2.2 litres for women |
| Percentage of current drinkers (2019) | 52% of men, 35% of women |
| Percentage of drinkers engaging in heavy episodic drinking (2019) | 38% |
| Alcohol-attributable deaths among young people (aged 20-39) | 13% of all alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 |
| Alcohol-attributable deaths among adults (aged 45-64) | Highest in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related mortality rates are higher for men than women
Several factors contribute to the higher mortality rate among men. One factor is the higher prevalence of heavy episodic or continuous drinking among men. This type of drinking pattern significantly increases the risk of alcohol-related health issues and mortality. Additionally, societal factors, such as Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for various health issues and is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. It is associated with an increased risk of numerous health conditions, disabilities, and mortality. While alcohol consumption and related harm affect both men and women, there are notable gender differences in alcohol-attributable mortality rates, with men consistently showing higher rates of alcohol-related deaths.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, alcohol-attributable deaths among men accounted for 2 million out of the 2.6 million total alcohol-related deaths globally, while deaths among women accounted for 600,000. This disparity is further highlighted when considering the per capita alcohol consumption, with men consuming an average of 8.2 litres compared to 2.2 litres for women. The higher mortality rate among men is also evident in the United States, where, in 2020, approximately 120,000 male deaths were attributable to excessive alcohol use, compared to 59,000 female deaths.
Several factors contribute to the higher alcohol-related mortality rate in men. One key factor is the higher prevalence of heavy episodic or continuous drinking among men. Globally, continuous heavy drinking is more prevalent among men, and they are more likely to engage in binge drinking and high-risk drinking behaviours. This higher consumption rate increases the risk of alcohol-related health issues and mortality. Additionally, societal factors, such as cultural and social norms, the availability of alcohol, and the implementation of alcohol policies, can also influence drinking patterns and related harm.
While alcohol-related mortality rates are generally higher for men, it is important to note that alcohol-related deaths among women are also on the rise. Between 2016 and 2021, the average annual number of alcohol-related deaths among women in the United States increased by 34.7%, while the percentage increase in deaths among men during the same period was lower, at approximately 27%. This narrowing of the gender gap in alcohol-related mortality may be attributed to changing societal norms and the increasing normalization of alcohol consumption among women.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had an impact on alcohol-related deaths, with a significant increase in alcohol-attributable deaths during the pandemic years. This trend was observed across both genders, but further research is needed to understand the underlying factors contributing to the rise in alcohol-related mortality among women. Additionally, the development of pharmacologic treatments for alcohol use disorder (AUD) has often overlooked potential gender differences, and more research is needed to understand the effectiveness of these treatments in reducing alcohol-related mortality in women.
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Alcohol consumption is more frequent among men
Sociocultural perspectives, particularly traditional masculine norms, have been strongly associated with alcohol use among men. Excessive consumption of alcohol by men has been linked to a dereliction of responsibilities and obligations. In contrast, women who endorse more traditional feminine traits tend to drink less frequently than men. However, it is important to note that the prevalence rates of AUD and unhealthy alcohol consumption behaviours among women are rising, with studies reporting a gender convergence over the past decade.
The development of AUD also differs between genders. For example, the interval between the first alcoholic drink and seeking treatment is shorter in women than in men, indicating a faster progression of AUD in females. Additionally, women are more likely to experience a relapse than men following a stressful event or drug-related cue. This highlights the importance of considering gender differences in alcohol use and AUD in healthcare research.
While men have higher rates of AUD and maladaptive drinking patterns, women suffer greater alcohol-related harms at lower levels of consumption. Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can bring health risks, but most alcohol-related harms come from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. Alcohol has been linked to various diseases, injuries, and health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, and different types of cancers. It is also a causal factor in road traffic accidents and intentional or unintentional injuries such as falls, drowning, and burns.
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Alcohol-related deaths increased during the pandemic
Alcohol-related deaths have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 29% increase in the United States, a 24% jump in Canada, and an 18% rise across Europe. This trend is concerning and highlights the impact of the pandemic on individuals' mental health and well-being.
In the United States, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by more than 40,000 between 2016-2017 and 2020-2021. Specifically, there was an increase of more than 25,000 alcohol-related deaths among males and over 15,000 among females during this period. The percentage increase was larger for females (35%) compared to males (27%), indicating a disproportionate impact on women.
In Canada, alcohol-related deaths increased by 17.6% between April 2020 and December 2022, with a higher rate of 24% in 2020 and 2021. This resulted in 1596 excess deaths during this three-year period. Alcohol-related hospitalizations also rose by 8.1%, with a notable 14% increase in 2020 and 2021, translating to 7142 excess hospitalizations. Interestingly, excess hospitalizations were almost three times higher in women (15.6%) than in men (5.7%), suggesting a gender disparity in the impact of alcohol-related harm.
The surge in alcohol-related deaths during the pandemic can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, sales of alcohol increased by 2.9% in 2020, marking the largest annual increase in over 50 years. This indicates that more people may have been turning to alcohol to cope with pandemic-related stress, anxiety, and pre-existing mental health struggles. Secondly, the increase in alcohol-related harm during the pandemic was widespread, with rises in alcohol-associated liver disease, emergency department visits for alcohol withdrawal, and the percentage of emergency visits involving acute alcohol consumption.
The Global alcohol action plan 2022–2030, endorsed by WHO Member States, aims to address this issue by reducing the harmful use of alcohol through effective, evidence-based strategies at national, regional, and global levels. It outlines key areas for intervention, including advocacy, awareness, partnership, coordination, technical support, and capacity-building. By implementing these strategies, public health interventions, alcohol policy reforms, and appropriate health services, we can work towards mitigating the impact of alcohol-related harm and reducing mortality rates.
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Alcohol-related deaths are rising fastest among women
Alcohol-related deaths are on the rise, with the number of people dying from alcohol consumption increasing by more than 40,000 from 2016-2017 to 2020-2021. This is a worrying trend, and one that appears to be affecting women disproportionately. While men still account for more alcohol-related deaths overall, the rate at which these deaths are increasing is higher among women.
From 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by more than 25,000 among males and more than 15,000 among females. However, the percentage increase in the number of deaths was larger for females (approximately 35% increase) than for males (approximately 27% increase). This trend is consistent with another study that found a larger increase in fully alcohol-attributable death rates among females compared with males.
The reasons for this increase are multifaceted. The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns and disruptions to daily life have been cited as a major factor. The stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic may have driven more people, particularly women, to drink excessively. Additionally, the pandemic saw a rise in alcohol delivery services, making it even easier to access alcohol.
Another factor contributing to the rise in alcohol-related deaths among women is the increase in health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure. Alcohol-related liver disease deaths, for example, have been increasing rapidly among women, with researchers attributing this to higher drinking levels during the pandemic as well as deteriorating health. Young adults between the ages of 25 and 44 have been found to have the biggest yearly increase in deaths from alcohol-associated hepatitis between 1999 and 2022.
The impact of alcohol consumption on an individual's health depends on various factors, including the amount consumed, frequency of drinking, health status, age, and other personal characteristics. Certain groups and individuals who are vulnerable or at risk may be more susceptible to the toxic and dependence-inducing properties of alcohol. It is important for people to be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and to take steps to protect themselves from its harmful effects.
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Alcohol-related deaths are highest among 45-64-year-olds
Alcohol-related deaths are highest among 45–64-year-olds, with men in this age group experiencing the highest rates. According to a 2015 report, an average of 2,221 people died of alcohol poisoning each year between 2010 and 2012, with three-quarters of these deaths occurring in this age range. The death rate was highest among men aged 45 to 54.
While men generally have higher rates of alcohol-related mortality, women have seen larger proportional increases in recent years. Between 2016 and 2021, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use increased by more than 25,000 among males and over 15,000 among females. However, the percentage increase was higher for females (35%) than for males (27%). This trend is also reflected in a study on alcohol-related deaths in the US from 1999 to 2020, which found that while men had higher overall death rates, deaths among women increased by 2.5 times.
Several factors contribute to the higher mortality rates from alcoholism among 45–64-year-olds. Firstly, this age group may experience increased stress and health issues, making them more vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol. Additionally, individuals in this age range may have established drinking patterns that increase their risk of alcohol-related harm.
The higher mortality rate among men in this age group may be due to gender differences in drinking patterns and alcohol consumption. In 2019, 52% of men were current drinkers, compared to only 35% of women. On average, men consumed 8.2 litres of alcohol per capita, while women consumed 2.2 litres. These differences in consumption contribute to higher mortality rates among men.
To address the high mortality rates from alcoholism in this age group, targeted interventions and awareness campaigns are necessary. It is important to educate individuals about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and encourage them to adopt lower-risk drinking patterns. Additionally, effective alcohol control interventions should be implemented to reduce the overall harm caused by alcohol in this vulnerable age group.
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Frequently asked questions
Men have a higher mortality rate from alcoholism than women. In 2019, alcohol use was responsible for 6.7% of all deaths among men and 2.4% of all deaths among women.
There are over 3 million alcohol-related deaths per year, with 2 million of these being male deaths.
Alcohol-related deaths increased during the pandemic, with a notable rise in alcohol-attributable deaths from 2019 to 2020.
The leading causes of alcohol-attributable deaths due to chronic conditions include liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancers of various types, and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
