More women dying from alcohol-related causes.

More women dying from alcohol-related causes.

The Rising Trend of Alcohol-Related Deaths Among Women in the U.S.

glass of red wine

July 28, 2023—A recent study has revealed a concerning increase in alcohol-related deaths among women in the United States. Over a period of 20 years, researchers tracked these deaths and found a significant rise, particularly in the last three years of the study. Despite men still being nearly three times more likely to die from alcohol-related issues, the rate of alcohol-related deaths in women has surged, surpassing the increase seen in men.

The study, led by Ibraheem M. Karaye, MD, DrPH, assistant professor of population health at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY, utilized a CDC database covering the years 1999 to 2020. More than 605,000 alcohol-attributed deaths were identified during this period. While the researchers observed a slow increase in alcohol-related deaths in women from 1999 to 2007 (1% per year), the rates grew more rapidly from 2007 to 2018 (4.3% per year). The most worrisome finding was the substantial jump in the years 2018 to 2020, with alcohol-related deaths in women increasing by 14.7% per year compared to 12.5% per year in men.

The underlying causes for this surge in alcohol-related deaths among women are multifaceted. Women are not only consuming alcohol at higher rates than before but also engaging in more high-risk drinking and developing alcohol use disorder. Previous research has shown that women have lower concentrations of the enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, responsible for breaking down and metabolizing alcohol. Furthermore, the higher concentration of fat to water in women’s bodies may lead to a higher concentration of alcohol as well.

The study findings highlight the urgent need for further research into the causes of this rise in alcohol-related deaths among women. Karaye suggests that studies on medication use for alcohol use disorder should also include female participants more equitably. It is vital to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to this concerning trend.

Alcohol’s impact on women goes beyond the realm of mortality. Recent research has shown an increase in alcohol-involved suicides among women of all age groups, while men did not experience a similar rise. Additionally, women are increasingly affected by liver disease associated with alcohol consumption. Compared to men, women often develop more severe liver disease at lower levels of drinking, partly due to an increase in obesity, which worsens the liver-damaging effects of alcohol.

According to Mark S. Kaplan, DrPH, professor emeritus of social welfare at UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, recent studies demonstrate that not only are women drinking more but they are also facing increasing problems related to alcohol. Kaplan suggests focusing future research on social circumstances that may contribute to this trend. Moreover, it is crucial to examine the specific increase in alcohol-involved deaths among American Indian or Alaska Native women, which was even higher at 22.8% annually during the years 2018-2020.

Camille A. Kezer, MD, a gastroenterology and hepatology fellow at Mayo Clinic, emphasizes that while the gender gap for alcohol-related complications is narrowing, both men and women are experiencing an increase in alcohol use disorder and alcohol-related deaths. Kezer notes that there are unique risks for women, including differences in metabolism, the impact of hormones, and the prevalence of obesity and bariatric surgery. Studies have linked bariatric surgery to an increase in alcohol consumption and disorder among women. To mitigate these risks, Kezer advises women to limit alcohol intake to one drink per day or less and seek help if they have concerns about their alcohol consumption.

Healthcare providers are committed to helping patients recognize and address alcohol-related disorders. The growing prevalence of alcohol-related deaths among women necessitates continued research, comprehensive healthcare strategies, and public awareness campaigns to combat this concerning trend.

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