Alcohol-related deaths saw massive increase during COVID-19 pandemic, CDC says
The United States saw a 26 percent increase in deaths caused by alcohol during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study released Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This massive spike represents about 13 deaths per 100,000 Americans, marking the highest rate in at least 40 years, the head of the study, Merianne Spencer, told The Associated Press. CDC data showed that deaths increased in almost every age group, though the rate for men was anywhere from two to four times higher than for women.
The 26 percent bump is a stratospheric rise to a statistic that had already been increasing — the CDC said the rate of alcohol-related deaths from 2000 to 2018 had never increased more than 7 percent.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While depression related to the first year of the pandemic was cited by the CDC as a significant contributing factor, the report noted there may have been a number of other reasons for the spike as well. Marissa Esser, the head of the CDC's alcoholism division, told AP the additional deaths may have been related to people with alcohol-related illnesses being unable to receive medical care during the pandemic.
In total, there were more than 52,000 deaths last year classified as "alcohol-induced," the CDC said, up from 39,000 in 2019. This includes deaths from alcohol-caused liver failure, alcohol poisoning, and complications from alcohol withdrawal.
The study found at least one in eight deaths among Americans aged 20 to 64 could be linked to alcohol.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Chicken with Steph's spice
The Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
A peaceful seaside village in Turkey
The Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
By The Week UK Published
-
Tax plans spell trouble in the North Sea
Talking Point Labour’s tax plans are whipping up a storm. Are the worries of opponents justified?
By The Week UK Published
-
FDA OKs new Covid vaccine, available soon
Speed read The CDC recommends the new booster to combat the widely-circulating KP.2 strain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mpox: how dangerous is new health emergency?
Today's Big Question Spread of potentially deadly sub-variant more like early days of HIV than Covid, say scientists
By The Week UK Published
-
What is POTS and why is it more common now?
The explainer The condition affecting young women
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Brexit, Matt Hancock and black swans: five takeaways from Covid inquiry report
The Explainer UK was 'unprepared' for pandemic and government 'failed' citizens with flawed response, says damning report
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is sickle cell anaemia?
The Explainer The UK has approved the use of a new drug to treat a disease that predominantly affects people of colour
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
The US is at risk for dengue fever
The explainer The buzz surrounding the mosquito-borne illness
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Should masks be here to stay?
Talking Points New York Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a mask ban. Here's why she wants one — and why it may not make sense.
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Covid might be to blame for an uptick in rare cancers
The explainer The virus may be making us more susceptible to certain cancers
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published