← Back to papers

Trends in Alcohol-Related Deaths by Sex in the US, 1999-2020

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
Ladies, Drink Responsibly: Alcohol-Related Deaths Rising Faster in Women

This study found that alcohol-related death rates are increasing faster among women than men in the US, despite men still having a higher overall mortality rate. The research analyzed US death certificate data from 1999 to 2020, revealing an accelerating trend, especially in recent years, for both sexes, with a steeper rise among women across various demographics. The study is descriptive and doesn't identify causes for the trend.

Explain Like I'm Five

A study found that while men are more likely to die from alcohol-related causes, the death rate for women is increasing faster than for men. Researchers looked at death certificates from 1999-2020 to track this trend.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified.

Identified Limitations

Descriptive nature of the study
The study is primarily descriptive and does not delve into the underlying causes or factors associated with the observed trends. This limits the ability to draw strong causal inferences or understand the mechanisms driving the increasing alcohol-related mortality rates among women.
Data limitations
The analysis was restricted due to data limitations, preventing a more thorough examination of age-specific trends, period and cohort effects, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These limitations may have influenced the observed results.
Limited data on women aged 15-24
Insufficient death counts for young women prevented analysis of trends for this age group. This limits the ability to fully understand the impact of alcohol-related mortality in this vulnerable group.

Rating Explanation

This is a strong epidemiological study utilizing a large dataset from a reliable source to examine an important public health issue. The methodology is robust, and the analysis is well-executed. While the study is descriptive and has some limitations regarding data availability, it provides valuable insights into alcohol-related mortality trends by sex, contributing significantly to the existing literature. The limitations do not outweigh the strengths of the study, and the findings are relevant and warrant further investigation.

Good to know

This is the Starter analysis. Paperzilla Pro fact-checks every citation, researches author backgrounds and funding sources, and uses advanced AI reasoning for more thorough insights.

Explore Pro →

Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Health Sciences
Field: Medicine
Subfield: Epidemiology

File Information

Original Title: Trends in Alcohol-Related Deaths by Sex in the US, 1999-2020
Uploaded: August 20, 2025 at 08:04 PM
Privacy: Public