Why Older Americans Are Drinking More Alcohol—Not Less
A new survey finds that young adults are going sober as older adults drink more alcohol.
In the United States, alcohol consumption among adults is on the decline, with a decrease in overall and heavy drinking rates reported by a recent study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study, which analyzed data from over 114,000 U.S. adults participating in the National Health Interview Survey from 2018 to 2024, found that younger adults, particularly those in the Millennial and Gen Z cohorts, are the primary drivers of this trend.
In contrast, older Americans aged 50-64 are actually consuming more alcohol than they did in 2018, with a 36% increase in heavy drinking since 2018.
Dr. Brian Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of USC, attributed the decline in alcohol consumption to increased public awareness of the health risks associated with drinking. This awareness may have been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, when messaging focused on the dangers of alcohol-related harm for young adults.
However, older adults, who are at greater risk of various diseases, including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers, may benefit from similar public information campaigns.
The study also suggests that younger generations may be substituting alcohol with other substances, such as cannabis, due to its legalization. Additionally, financial constraints may play a role in the reduced alcohol consumption among younger adults, who generally have less disposable income compared to older individuals. As societal expectations evolve, younger adults are increasingly choosing to abstain from alcohol, reducing the social pressure to drink.
Ultimately, the overall reduction in alcohol consumption is a positive development for public health, and older Americans would also benefit from adopting similar habits.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
