To analyze trends in alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in the United States from 1990 to 2023.
Approach:
Data Analysis: Investigators analyzed Global Burden of Disease data, examining total alcohol-attributable, age-standardized, and age-specific cancer mortality rates.
Statistical Methods: Joinpoint regression was used to assess temporal trends and identify changes over time.
Key Findings:
Alcohol-attributable cancer mortality in the U.S. doubled from 1990 to 2023.
Age-standardized mortality rate increased from 3.8 to 4.1 per 100,000 individuals.
Estimated alcohol-attributable cancer mortality rose from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.
14% increase in age-standardized mortality among males; 16% decrease among females.
Colorectal, hepatic, and esophageal cancers accounted for the majority of alcohol-attributable mortalities.
The percentage of the age-standardized mortality rate attributable to alcohol increased from 2.5% to 4.8% among males and from 1.8% to 2.0% among females.
Limitations:
Incomplete exposure data and variability among data sources could introduce bias.
Lack of granular patient-level data on race, ethnicity, and social determinants of health limits disparity assessments.
