DRINKING ALCOHOL EXCESSIVELY

Unhealthy weight, especially Obesity and being clinically underweight, is a major public health concern. Unhealthy weight is linked to a range of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and shortened life expectancy.

Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant public health issue, linked to a range of health risks such as liver disease, addiction, and some forms of dementia. Between 1999 and 2017, overall rates of excessive drinking increased slightly across all age groups, and older age remained associated with lower excessive drinking rates overall.

While females consistently report lower rates of excessive drinking compared to males, from 1999 to 2017 rates have increased slightly among females under the age of 75 and remained relatively stable among males. In fact, young males (ages 25-44) saw a decline in excessive drinking rates in the latter part of this period.

Marital status also plays a role, with married individuals generally drinking less than their unmarried counterparts, and younger unmarried individuals exhibiting the highest rates of excessive alcohol consumption. These trends highlight the need for targeted public health interventions to address excessive drinking, particularly among younger and unmarried populations.