Pandemic Alcohol Consumption Remains Elevated, Study Finds

A study led by Dr. Brian Lee reveals that alcohol consumption in the US, which surged during the Covid-19 pandemic, remains high. The research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, shows a continued increase in drinking from 2020 to 2022, with 69.3% of Americans reporting alcohol use in 2022. The percentage of heavy drinkers also rose, with significant increases among women and White Americans. Experts attribute this trend to pandemic-related stress and disruptions, emphasizing the need for interventions like heavier taxation and better public awareness to curb excessive drinking and its health impacts.