Research Summary

How Alcohol-Related Deaths Have Changed in the United States Over the Past Two Decades

Miranda Manier, BA

In a comprehensive analysis of alcohol-related mortality trends in the United States, researchers found that deaths attributable to alcohol nearly doubled over two decades, rising from 19,356 in 1999 to 48,870 in 2020. Mortality rates increased from 10.7 per 100,000 to 21.6 per 100,000 during this period, with disproportionate rises observed across demographic groups and geographic regions.

Alcohol is a significant contributor to premature death and morbidity both in the United States and globally. This study aimed to examine long-term trends in alcohol-related mortality and identify variations by age, gender, race, and region to inform targeted public health strategies.

Using data from the CDC wide-ranging online data for epidemiologic research (WONDER) database and ICD-10 codes, the researchers analyzed the underlying causes of death across the U.S. population. Mortality rate ratios were calculated to assess changes over time within subgroups.

The study revealed a nearly 2.0-fold overall increase in alcohol-related mortality from 1999 to 2020. Age-specific analysis showed the largest rise—3.8-fold—among individuals aged 25 to 34 years. Women experienced a 2.5-fold increase in alcohol-related deaths, a higher relative increase than men. Among racial groups, Asians and Pacific Islanders exhibited the most pronounced rise, with a 2.4-fold increase, while geographically, the Midwest led the nation with a 2.5-fold regional rise in mortality rates.

“During the last 20 years there have been significant increases of about 2-fold in US alcohol-related mortality,” the study authors concluded. “. . . Targeted interventions by health care providers may reduce this increasing US epidemic of alcohol related mortality.”

Reference

Matarazzo A, Hennekens CH, Dunn J, et al. New clinical and public health challenges: increasing trends in United States alcohol related mortality. Am J Med. Published online November 10, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.10.024