- Alcohol-related liver disease has more than doubled in the United States over the past two decades.
- This increase is predominantly linked to a rise in heavy drinking among four specific groups: women, adults aged 45 and over, individuals living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome.
- Researchers highlight that while the overall average drinking rate in the US has remained unchanged, demographic and health shifts are contributing factors to the surge in liver disease.
- The study, which analyzed data from 1999 to 2020, offers the first comprehensive look at the changing demographics of heavy drinking and its connection to liver damage since the 1990s.
- Experts anticipate these findings will assist healthcare professionals in better identifying and treating high-risk populations, potentially leading to more targeted screenings and interventions.
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