Alcohol deaths have more than doubled in recent years, especially among women – Fox News

No amount of alcohol is good for the human body, previous research has shown — and now a new study has linked it to a rising number of deaths.

Over the course of two decades — from 1999 to 2020 — the number of alcohol-related deaths nearly doubled, according to a study from Florida Atlantic University (FAU)’s Schmidt College of Medicine.

Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER), finding that alcohol mortality rates went from 10.7 per 100,000 in 1999 to 21.6 per 100,000 in 2020.

The biggest surge — a fourfold increase — was seen in people between the ages of 25 and 34.

The results were published in The American Journal of Medicine.

What amount is harmful?

The amount of alcohol consumption can have a significant impact on mortality risk, Hennekens noted.

“The difference between drinking small and moderate to large amounts of alcohol may mean a large difference between preventing and causing premature deaths,” the researcher said. “Liver damage is an immediate effect of alcohol consumption.”

Rise in alcohol deaths among women

Although men had the highest mortality rates overall, women saw the “largest proportional rise,” according to the study findings, with deaths going from 4.8 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12 in 2020.

Dr. Adam Scioli, chief medical officer at Caron Treatment Centers in Pennsylvania, said he was not surprised by the study results.

“Women progress more rapidly to developing alcohol use disorder and its associated health consequences.”

“These findings are consistent with what we’ve been seeing clinically for the last decade – increases in severe diseases and co-morbidities related to alcohol use,” Scioli, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.

Gender differences in alcohol effects

Women and men process alcohol differently due to their biology, Scioli noted.

“Because women have less alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity – an enzyme in the stomach and liver that helps break down alcohol – women are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol on the liver, heart and brain,” the doctor said.

Women are also more likely to suffer the health impacts of alcohol use sooner than men.

“We call it the ‘telescoping’ effect, which means women progress more rapidly to develop alcohol use disorder and its associated health consequences,” Scioli said.

Potential limitations

Experts pointed out some potential limitations of the study.

“It is an analysis of cross-sectional data,” noted Spielvogel.

“There may be bias in analyzing this mix of population in a non-prospective randomized fashion, which is the gold standard for scientific research but not possible for analyzing this data,” he went on.

“Performing an analysis of a variety of cultures and age groups can lead to bias and inaccurate conclusions as well.”

Scioli noted that the main limitation of the study is that it is based on public health data — “which means it may actually be an under-representation of the problem.”

A call for change

Based on the findings from the study, the researchers call for “tailored interventions” to help curb alcohol-related deaths.

They also recommend additional research to help shape public health policies.

“To mitigate these risks, screening for alcohol use in primary care settings is essential,” Hennekens said.

Scioli agreed, calling for earlier intervention by health care professionals to identify individuals, especially women, who may have problematic drinking and refer them for assessment for a potential substance use disorder.

“We also need to make it easier and acceptable for individuals to get the help they need,” he added.

“Finally, we need to normalize sobriety and provide greater support to people who don’t drink alcohol.”

Fox News Digital reached out to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association requesting comment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• SDG 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 12.6: Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle.
• SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 3.4: Alcohol-related mortality rates per 100,000 population.
• Indicator for SDG 5.5: Proportional rise in alcohol-related deaths among women.
• Indicator for SDG 10.2: Changes in alcohol-related mortality rates across different age groups and genders.
• Indicator for SDG 12.6: Adoption of sustainable practices by alcohol companies and inclusion of sustainability information in their reporting.
• Indicator for SDG 13.3: Increase in education and awareness about the health risks of alcohol consumption and its connection to climate change.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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