One in 10 deaths of people between the ages of 20 and 64 years can be attributed to excessive alcohol intake, according to a new study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A new study published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease found that binge drinking, excessive weekly consumption of alcohol and drinking while underage or pregnant — claimed 88,000 lives from 2006 to 2010. A person who died under these circumstances lost an average of 30 years from their lifespan.
According to epidemiologist Mandy Stahre, one of the authors of the study, the implications of this can be a serious matter when concerned about the economy.
“We’re talking about a large economic impact, people who are contributing to society,” Stahre said, according to USA Today. “They’re in the prime of their lives, whether they’re building up careers or midcareer. A lot of attention we tend to focus on is maybe college drinking or just drunk driving.”
There has been a slight increase in alcohol-related deaths since 2001, but no official figures have been released by the CDC concerning years after 2010. However, Stahre hopes that these findings will bring concern to citizens as well as the government regarding alcohol consumption, favoring such regulations as an increased tax on alcoholic beverages sold in stores.
“It’s important to think about what might be done to reduce this (death) toll, and think about government policies that might reduce availability and increase the price of alcohol that is known to impact drinking in general and binge drinking,” said William Kerr of the Alcohol Research Group.
The Distilled Spirits Council, does not readily agree however, believing that these prices mostly affect the people who use alcohol in moderation, and also disagrees with regulations regarding times of day when purchasing these beverages are possible. “Repeatedly, studies have shown that alcohol abusers are affected little by price,” said Lisa Hawkins, the council’s vice president, in a statement.
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