America’s scourge: Booze
Alcohol is killing Americans at a rate not seen in at least 35 years, according to new federal data. That’s partly because per-capita alcohol consumption has been increasing since the late 1990s.
30,700
Americans who died from alcohol-induced causes, including cirrhosis, in 2014
37%
Increase in per capita deaths since 2002
28,647
Deaths from heroin and prescription painkillers, which have received more public health focus
17.4%
Women who binge drink — five or more drinks on at least one occasion — up from 15.7% in 2002
74
Drinks per week consumed by the top 10 per cent of American imbibers