Rise in Alcohol-Related Liver Injuries During Covid-19 Pandemic

A study analyzing data from the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic in the U.S. has found a significant increase in reported hospitalizations and deaths from alcohol-related hepatitis, surpassing the steady increases seen in previous years. The study revealed a rise of over 12% in hospitalizations in 2020 compared to the previous year, with a higher increase observed among younger individuals. Deaths from alcohol-related hepatitis also rose by more than 24% in 2020. The findings highlight the need for early identification, treatment, and prevention of alcohol use disorder to address the long-term impact on public health.