Nearly 23% of Illinois high school students say they drink, according to report – Chicago Tribune

Report on Alcohol Use in Illinois: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

A recent report released by the Illinois Department of Public Health in 2025 provides a comprehensive overview of alcohol consumption patterns across Illinois, with a particular focus on youth and adult drinking behaviors. This report aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by addressing public health challenges related to alcohol misuse.

Alcohol Use Among Illinois High School Students

1. Nearly 23% of Illinois high school students reported consuming alcohol within the last 30 days (2021 data).
2. Approximately 12% of teens acknowledged engaging in binge drinking, defined as consuming four to five drinks within a couple of hours.
3. Girls reported higher rates of drinking and binge drinking compared to boys.
4. Racial disparities were noted:
   • 27% of white teens reported drinking.
   • 15.9% of Black teens reported drinking.
   • 22.5% of Latinx teens reported drinking.

Public Health Implications and SDG Alignment

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The report highlights the critical need for interventions to reduce alcohol misuse among youth, which is essential for healthy brain development and reducing risky behaviors such as impaired driving and unsafe sex.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Prevention programs in schools can be enhanced to educate students about the risks of alcohol consumption.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Addressing disparities in alcohol use among different racial and socioeconomic groups is vital for equitable health outcomes.

Adult Alcohol Consumption Patterns

1. In 2023, nearly 56% of Illinois adults reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.
2. About 18% of adults engaged in binge drinking.
3. Heavy drinking was reported by 5.3% of adults, defined as more than 15 drinks per week for men and more than eight drinks per week for women.
4. Income-related disparities in alcohol consumption were observed:
   • 69% of adults earning $75,000 or more drank alcohol in the last 30 days.
   • 49.2% of adults earning between $35,000 and $50,000 drank alcohol.
   • 35.1% of adults earning less than $15,000 drank alcohol.

Alcohol-Related Health and Safety Concerns

• Alcohol involvement in fatal vehicle crashes increased from 33% in 2019 to 37% in 2022.
• Between 2020 and 2023, over 2,300 Illinois residents died from alcohol-related illnesses, including alcoholic liver disease, alcohol dependency syndrome, excessive alcohol use, and alcohol psychosis.
• In 2024, alcohol-related issues were the leading cause of calls to the Illinois Helpline, a free resource for substance use disorder and problem gambling treatment.

Recommendations and Future Directions

1. Increase resources for prevention, treatment, and community interventions targeting alcohol misuse.
2. Enhance data collection to monitor trends and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
3. Promote coordinated responses involving public health authorities, educational institutions, and community organizations.
4. Focus on reducing health inequalities related to alcohol use in line with SDG 10.
5. Support brain health and development initiatives for youth, contributing to SDG 3.

Conclusion

The Illinois Department of Public Health’s report underscores the urgent need to address alcohol misuse as a public health priority. By aligning efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Illinois can work towards reducing the harmful impacts of alcohol on its residents and fostering healthier, safer communities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses alcohol use and misuse, its health impacts including diseases caused by alcohol, and the need for treatment and prevention.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article highlights alcohol-related vehicle crashes, which affect community safety and well-being.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article presents data on alcohol use disparities among different racial/ethnic groups and income levels.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, race or income.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Under SDG 3:
   • Percentage of high school students who consumed alcohol in the last 30 days (23%).
   • Percentage of teens engaging in binge drinking (12%).
   • Percentage of adults who drank alcohol in the last 30 days (56%).
   • Percentage of adults reporting binge drinking (18%) and heavy drinking (5.3%).
   • Number of deaths caused by alcohol-related illnesses (2,300+ between 2020-2023).
   • Number of calls to substance use disorder helplines related to alcohol.
2. Under SDG 11:
   • Percentage of fatal vehicle crashes involving a driver with blood alcohol concentration above legal limit (37% in 2022).
3. Under SDG 10:
   • Alcohol consumption rates disaggregated by race/ethnicity (White 27%, Black 15.9%, Latinx 22.5%).
   • Alcohol consumption rates disaggregated by income levels (e.g., 69% for $75,000+ income group).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chicagotribune.com