How alcohol-related deaths have changed in every state over the past two decades
Rome News-Tribune
By Eliza Siegel
Apr 12, 2022
Over the last 20 years, a disturbing trend emerged: All 50 states have seen a significant increase in alcohol-related deaths. Only Washington D.C. saw a decrease in death rates.
Besides more obvious alcohol-related deaths like alcohol poisoning or drunk-driving accidents, prolonged heavy alcohol use can cause a range of health problems, which can lead to death. Liver cirrhosis, which develops over years, is a common condition among those who drink heavily. Excessive drinking causes damage to the liver, which causes a buildup of scar tissue, rather than living tissue, in the organ. The effects of cirrhosis are largely irreversible and can lead to liver failure and death.
Alcohol use can also raise the risk of developing cancer. The most common alcohol-related cancers are throat and mouth, liver, esophagus, breast, colon, and rectum. When the body breaks down alcohol, it becomes a chemical called acetaldehyde. This chemical can damage DNA, which can lead to cells growing out of control, resulting in the creation of a tumor. Some alcoholic drinks may also contain carcinogens like asbestos fibers, hydrocarbons, and nitrosamines.
To slow the increasing number of deaths, the CDC created a state funding program to build public health infrastructures aimed at preventing excessive alcohol use. The CDC also partnered with health care networks to improve alcohol screenings and interventions.
To determine how alcohol-related deaths have changed in every state over 20 years, Zinnia Health examined data between 2000 and 2020 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC considers alcohol-induced deaths as any reported deaths caused by alcohol use–whether dependent or non-dependent–and accidental alcohol poisonings. For every state, 2020 statistics are provided, including the number of alcohol-related deaths, how this figure compares per 100,000 people, the state population that year according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and the 20-year percent change for all three of these statistics.
Alabama
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 569 deaths (up 139.1% from 2000)
– 11.6 deaths per 100,000 people (up 114.8% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 4,921,532 (up 10.7% from 2000)
Alaska
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 242 deaths (up 137.3% from 2000)
– 33.1 deaths per 100,000 people (up 103.1% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 731,158 (up 16.6% from 2000)
Arizona
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 1,578 deaths (up 234.3% from 2000)
– 21.3 deaths per 100,000 people (up 131.5% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 7,421,401 (up 44.6% from 2000)
Arkansas
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 382 deaths (up 238.1% from 2000)
– 12.6 deaths per 100,000 people (up 200.0% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 3,030,522 (up 13.4% from 2000)
California
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 6,193 deaths (up 81.8% from 2000)
– 15.7 deaths per 100,000 people (up 55.4% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 39,368,078 (up 16.2% from 2000)
Colorado
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 1,568 deaths (up 251.6% from 2000)
– 27.0 deaths per 100,000 people (up 159.6% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 5,807,719 (up 35.0% from 2000)
Connecticut
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 552 deaths (up 183.1% from 2000)
– 15.5 deaths per 100,000 people (up 171.9% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 3,557,006 (up 4.4% from 2000)
Delaware
2020 alcohol-related death stats:
– 133 deaths (up 160.8% from 2000)
– 13.5 deaths per 100,000 people (up 107.7% from 2000)
– 2020 state population: 986,809 (up 25.9% from 2000)