Facts on Alcohol Related Deaths in the U.S

Alcohol-related deaths in the United States continue to contribute significantly to the yearly death toll. Since 2001, approximately 79,000 to 85,000 casualties are recognized as alcohol related up to April 2009. Excessive alcohol use can result in over 60 different types of health problems and diseases and will impair driving responses, resulting in potentially fatal accidents.

History

Between 1982 and 1993, deaths ruled to be alcohol related in the U.S. totaled 266,291. It equals out to be one death every 30 minutes.

Significance

Alcohol ranks as the third leading cause of preventable, lifestyle-related deaths every year in the U.S., coming after tobacco use and poor eating habits.

Types

The most common types of deaths associated with alcohol in the U.S. are traffic accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and homicide.

Prevention/Solution

Zero tolerance laws in the U.S. for underage drinking and drinking and driving, combined with intervention programs, prevent more alcohol-related deaths from occurring each year.

Warning

Drinking five or more alcoholic beverages at a time significantly increases a person's risk for an illness or alcohol-related death.

Resources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism