Excessive drinking is among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the U.S., according to just released by the CDC.
Of the 11 states studied, New Mexico had the highest death rate due to alcohol use. For every 100,000 residents, there are about 51 deaths related to excessive drinking, which is almost double the median rate.
The report also tallied up all the years of potential life lost. In New Mexico, that鈥檚 a little more than 30 thousand years annually.
Katy Gonzales, an alcohol epidemiologist, said two things stood out to her while she helped write the report: First, two-thirds of people dying alcohol-attributable deaths are men. And second, the highest rates were among working-age adults, ages 20 to 64.
鈥�That鈥檚 generally what we would consider people in their most productive years of their lives," she said. "And since we鈥檙e talking about something that is completely preventable, it鈥檚 really shocking to see such high rates."
According to the CDC, early, alcohol-related deaths cost the country every year in productivity losses and lost wages.
The report recommends increasing the price of alcohol and limiting the density of bars and stores where it can be purchased.
