Recent data reveals a concerning trend as alcohol-related deaths among women in the United States have seen a significant rise, resulting in a narrowing gender gap in mortality rates.
According to a report published in JAMA Network Open, men have historically been almost three times more likely than women to die from alcohol use. However, the risk for women has grown, and the gap has decreased in recent years.
The study, which analyzed data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database, tracked underlying causes of death, including alcohol-related poisoning, liver disease, and gastritis. Surprisingly, the rise in alcohol-related deaths among women began over a decade earlier than among men, and the increase in recent years has been even more alarming.
Gender Gap Narrows: Women's Alcohol-Related Deaths Grow at Alarming Rates
According to CNN, between 2018 and 2020, the alcohol-related death rate among men increased by an average of 12.5% annually. In contrast, women experienced a surge of an average of nearly 15% each year during the same period. The research indicates that alcohol-related deaths have been on the rise across all age groups for both genders, but the most significant narrowing of the gender gap has been observed among seniors aged 65 and older.
Experts argue that this shift does not necessarily imply that senior women are consuming more alcohol. Rather, it suggests the accumulation of chronic alcohol-related harms among females. Researchers have identified a few biological differences that make women more susceptible to the adverse effects of alcohol, such as lower levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, leading to prolonged exposure and greater organ damage over time.
Stress has emerged as a key factor in alcohol misuse among both men and women. The narrowing gap in alcohol use between genders could reflect an increase in stress and stress-related disorders among women in recent years. Experts have highlighted the impact of the pandemic on mental health, with women being twice as likely as men to experience anxiety and depression.
George F. Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, commented on the matter last year, stating, "There's an interaction with mental health that has been more exposed during the pandemic... the stresses of the pandemic likely hit extra hard."
Stress and Alcohol: Possible Link Behind Rising Deaths Among Women
The fact that the US Food and Drug Administration has only approved treatments for alcohol use disorder after testing them primarily on men is one worrying factor that the researchers have identified. This raises questions about the effectiveness of these treatments in addressing the rising issue of alcohol-related deaths among women.
As the situation evolves, health authorities and policymakers must take this alarming trend seriously and develop targeted interventions that address the specific needs of women affected by alcohol-related harm. Additionally, increasing awareness about the risks of alcohol consumption, especially among women, and ensuring access to gender-inclusive treatment options for alcohol use disorder will be crucial steps in combating this pressing public health concern.
The rise in alcohol-related deaths among women in the United States is a cause for concern, with the gender gap in mortality rates narrowing as a result. The underlying factors contributing to this trend, including biological differences, stress, and limited treatment options tailored for women, require immediate attention. Taking decisive action now can help mitigate the impact of alcohol-related harm and save countless lives in the future.
