2 days ago
American deaths from this alcohol-linked disease have doubled in 20 years
Alcohol-related liver disease deaths in the U.S. have roughly doubled between 1999 and 2022, with a significant increase during and after the Covid -19 pandemic, according to a group of physicians.
Mortality rates from alcohol-associated liver disease surged from 6.7 to 12.5 deaths per 100,000 people during the studied period, with a higher annual increase among women and concerning trends among young people.
American Indian or Alaska Native populations experienced the highest death rates, increasing from approximately 25 to nearly 47 per 100,000 between 1999 and 2022.
Mortality rates surged an annual average of 9 percent from 2018 to 2022, attributed to pandemic-related stressors like financial insecurity and social isolation, leading to increased drinking.
The findings indicate an urgent need for enhanced screening, improved addiction treatment access, and targeted interventions for high-risk groups, doctors say.
