Binge Drinkers Are Less Likely To Be Healthy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has fresh data indicating that over half of the deaths, at 79,000 annually, resulting from excessive drinking in the US occurs due to binge drinking. A new study, due to be published in the August 2010 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, has examined the frequency of binge drinking vis-à-vis the drinkers' own perceptions of their overall health status. Findings indicate a significant likelihood of binge drinkers self-reporting suboptimal health status. It may be noted, in this context, that persons reporting lower self-rated health are more at risk of hospitalization and death than persons reporting higher self-reported health. Most binge drinkers reporting high average daily alcohol intake are more likely to binge drink frequently. All this underscores the urgent need for preventive governmental action by way of increasing alcohol-excise taxes, limiting alcohol outlet density, and restricting the days and hours when alcohol is sold.

Click here