Alcohol-associated liver disease mortality rises in the US

Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) has seen a significant upward trend in the United States over the last two decades, with a notable spike occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a study published in JAMA Network Open, the ALD death rate nearly doubled between 1999 and 2022, rising from 6.71 to 12.53 per 100,000 people, totaling 436,814 deaths during that period.

Data indicates that mortality increases have been disproportionate among certain demographics, including women, young adults, and American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Specifically, ALD deaths increased at an average annual rate of 4.29% in women compared to 2.50% in men.

While recent data suggests the first decline in US alcohol use since the pandemic, consumption levels remain higher than 2018 levels. Furthermore, heavy drinking continues to rise among adults aged 50 to 64. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported that from 2000 to 2023, the age-adjusted death rate from alcohol-related cirrhosis rose by 72.2%. In 2024, alcohol-associated cirrhosis was the most frequent primary diagnosis among adult liver transplant recipients in the US.