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Report on Declining Alcohol Consumption and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Recent data indicates a significant shift in alcohol consumption patterns within the United States, with consumption rates falling to their lowest levels in nearly 90 years. This trend, driven by increased health awareness and specific demographic shifts, has profound implications for several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Analysis of Consumption Trends and Public Health Impact

Statistical Overview

Current data reveals a notable decline in the prevalence of alcohol consumption:

• According to Gallup, only 54% of the U.S. population currently consumes alcohol, a historic low.
• This figure represents a significant decrease from 67% just three years prior.

This decline follows a period of increased consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had severe public health consequences.

• In 2020, alcohol-related deaths in the U.S. approached 100,000, with a peak of nearly 500 deaths per day.
• An RTI International study noted a 323% surge in drinking among women with small children between February and November 2020.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The reduction in alcohol use directly contributes to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This trend supports the target of reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.

Health Risks and Scientific Evidence

The shift in public behavior is supported by a growing body of scientific research highlighting the health risks associated with alcohol, which is classified as a toxin.

1. A 2024 Journal of the American Medical Association study linked moderate alcohol use with higher death rates in individuals over 60.
2. The American Association for Cancer Research found that over 5% of cancers in the United States are attributable to alcohol use.
3. A 2025 U.S. Surgeon General’s report identified alcohol as a “leading preventable cause of cancer,” recommending updated warning labels.

Socio-Demographic Drivers and Broader SDG Implications

SDG 5: Gender Equality and Women’s Health

Women are identified as a primary force behind the decrease in drinking. This trend aligns with SDG 5 by empowering women to take control of their health and well-being in response to specific vulnerabilities.

• Women’s bodies are more susceptible to alcohol-inflicted damage.
• Alcohol consumption can disrupt hormonal balance and is a factor in rising infertility rates.
• The conscious decision to reduce or eliminate alcohol intake represents a proactive step towards improved personal health and well-being among women.

Generational Shifts and Youth Well-being

Generation Z (born 1997-2012) is another key demographic contributing to the decline, a positive indicator for long-term public health and the achievement of SDG 3.

• Reduced in-person socializing has decreased exposure to environments where drinking is common.
• This behavioral change could lead to a future generation with a lower incidence of alcohol-related health issues, including cancers, organ damage, and traffic fatalities.

Conclusion: Long-Term Implications for Sustainable Development

The ongoing reduction in alcohol consumption in the United States is a positive public health development that strongly supports the Sustainable Development Goals. By reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases, empowering women to make informed health choices, and fostering healthier habits in younger generations, this societal shift contributes to a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future. Continued public health education and awareness are critical to maintaining this positive trajectory.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s central theme is the impact of alcohol consumption on public health in the United States. It discusses the health risks associated with alcohol, such as cancer and liver disease, and the significant number of deaths attributed to its use. The text also highlights a positive trend of decreasing alcohol consumption, which directly contributes to improving the health and well-being of the population.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article directly connects alcohol use to non-communicable diseases and mortality. It states that “more than 5% of cancers in the United States can be attributed to alcohol use” and that a surgeon general’s report called alcohol a “leading preventable cause of cancer.” The mention of the author’s husband wrestling with PTSD and people “drinking to cope” also touches upon the mental health aspect of this target.
• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. This target is explicitly addressed throughout the article. The entire piece is a discussion on the “harmful use of alcohol,” its societal impact during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent decline in its consumption. The article explores the reasons behind this decline, such as increased awareness of health risks, which is a key component of prevention.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 3.5 (Harmful use of alcohol): The article provides several data points that can serve as indicators for measuring the prevalence of alcohol consumption.
  • The percentage of the U.S. population that drinks has fallen from 67% to 54%.
  • A specific demographic, “women with small children,” saw a “323% surge in drinking between February and November 2020,” indicating a measurable increase in a sub-population.
  • The trend of decreasing alcohol consumption among “Generation Z” is highlighted as a key factor in the overall decline.
• For Target 3.4 (Mortality from non-communicable diseases): The article provides statistics that can be used to measure mortality rates linked to alcohol.
  • In 2020, “alcohol quietly claimed almost 100,000 American lives.”
  • At its peak, there were “close to 500 deaths per day from alcohol use.”
  • A study is cited reporting that “moderate alcohol use is associated with higher death rates in those over 60.”
  • The statistic that “more than 5% of cancers in the United States can be attributed to alcohol use” is a direct indicator of the burden of non-communicable diseases caused by alcohol.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: usatoday.com