A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that alcohol poisoning can cause deaths of six people each day in the United States.
Alcohol poisoning is a condition in which alcohol is consumed far too much and in too short a time.
Ileana Arias, principal deputy director of CDC, said, “Alcohol poisoning deaths are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of excessive alcohol use, which is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the US.”
A latest CDC Vital Signs report has showed that alcohol poisoning can kill over 2,200 Americans per year. Among the high risk group include those between the age group 35 and 64 as they account for 75 percent of alcohol poisoning deaths. Additionally, the white males are the victims of such deaths.
The death rates from alcohol poisoning vary widely statewide, ranging from Alabama’s 5.3 per million deaths to 46.5 deaths per million people in Alaska. Great Plains, New England and western United States are the states having the highest death rates from alcohol poisoning.
The CDC health experts said that the consumption of very high levels of alcohol can fatally affect the heart rate, part of the brain responsible for controlling breathing and body temperature.
In a statement, Arius said, “Implementation of effective programs and policies is required to prevent binge drinking and several health and social harms that are related to it, including deaths from alcohol poisoning.”
Alcohol poisoning can occur with binge drinking. It is defined as over five drinks in just one sitting for men, while over four in one sitting for women.
The CDC report shows more than 38 million adults in the United States engage in binge drinking for an average of four times a month and also have an average of eight drinks a binge.
