According to a
new report from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption is a factor in one out of every 10 deaths of working-age adults. Examining data from 2006 to 2010, researchers found that alcohol caused an average of 87,798 deaths per year, resulting in 2,560,290 years of potential life lost.
The study defined excessive alcohol consumption as:
- binge drinking, or at least five drinks at one time for men and at least four for women;
- heavy weekly consumption, or at least 15 drinks for men and at least eight for women; and
- any drinking by pregnant women.
Compared to other states, Connecticut ranked fifth-lowest in alcohol-attributable deaths, with 22.1 deaths per 100,000 people. New Jersey ranked first with 19.1 such deaths per 100,000. The national average was 27.9 deaths per 100,000 people, of which 71% were male.
The
Washington Post has more about the study.
