Alcohol deaths claim the lives of working-age Americans
Alcohol is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but it is often overshadowed by tobacco or opiates. And its impact on American health is increasing. Nearly a decade ago, a similar study found that one in 10 deaths among working-age people was due to alcohol use, although researchers changed the methodology so a perfect apples-to-apples comparison isn’t possible.
Katherine Keyes, a professor of epidemiology at Columbia University who was not involved in the latest study, said she painted a stark picture of the problem. “Where does science have to go,” she said, “what are we doing about it?”
She looked hopeful at the disparities in the effects of alcohol the study found across states. In Mississippi, alcohol accounted for 9.3 percent of working-age deaths, while in New Mexico it was responsible for 21.7 percent, including one in three deaths in people ages 20 to 34, according to Dr. Keyes called “terrible”.
But she said these differences are also an indication of the profound role that environment plays in each individual’s drinking habits. That suggests the hardest-hit communities may be able to learn from others where drinking is less dangerous, she said.
According to experts, there are numerous ways to improve access to treatment services. Millions of Americans struggle with alcohol use disorders, but their healthcare providers typically don’t advise them to cut down on excessive drinking or offer them medications that can help curb cravings.
dr Esser said policymakers should take steps to make their communities safer. “Evidence-based strategies are out there and underutilized,” she said. The CDC’s Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends a number of actions, including increasing alcohol taxes and regulating the number and concentration of businesses that sell alcohol.
Last year, Congress permanently lowered state liquor tax rates, and state liquor taxes have generally not kept pace with inflation. But in some hard-hit states, proponents have begun to backtrack. There has been a campaign in Oregon to increase alcohol taxes, and New Mexico lawmakers recently held hearings on the matter.
