Per capita alcohol consumption of all beverages in the U.S. 1850-2020
Per capita alcohol consumption in the United States has increased in the past couple of decades to reach 2.45 gallons of ethanol per capita in 2020. Beer accounts for the largest share of the alcohol market in the United States, but spirits have become a very close second after steadily increasing over the past couple decades.
Health risks
Constant and excessive alcohol use has been shown to cause many health complications and increase the risk of many diseases. For example, alcohol consumption increases the risk of various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. The cost of such health complications from alcohol is substantial. As of 2020, it was estimated that the health care costs alone from the abuse of alcohol in the United States were around 27 billion dollars a year.
Liver cirrhosis
A common health complication from the abuse of alcohol is liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver from repeated injury. It can cause other health complications such as high blood pressure, bleeding, and infection, and can result in early death if left untreated. In 2017, there were over 22,000 alcohol-related liver cirrhosis deaths in the U.S., almost double the number reported 15 years earlier.
Health risks
Constant and excessive alcohol use has been shown to cause many health complications and increase the risk of many diseases. For example, alcohol consumption increases the risk of various types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. The cost of such health complications from alcohol is substantial. As of 2020, it was estimated that the health care costs alone from the abuse of alcohol in the United States were around 27 billion dollars a year.
Liver cirrhosis
A common health complication from the abuse of alcohol is liver cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver from repeated injury. It can cause other health complications such as high blood pressure, bleeding, and infection, and can result in early death if left untreated. In 2017, there were over 22,000 alcohol-related liver cirrhosis deaths in the U.S., almost double the number reported 15 years earlier.
