#United States #Washington, D.C. #alcohol consumption #Dietary Guidelines #U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance

The U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance (USAPA) has expressed strong discontent with the recently introduced 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Their criticism hinges on the guidelines' apparent deviation from scientific recommendations regarding alcohol consumption, indicating a possible win for the alcohol industry and its supporters in Congress. Mike Marshall, the CEO of USAPA, emphasizes the severity of the situation, stating that the evidence regarding alcohol's health risks is unequivocal—a toxic, addictive carcinogen responsible for approximately 178,000 deaths in the U.S. annually, marking a significant 30 percent increase in mortality over the last decade.

Despite the discouraging findings, the guidelines simply recommend that individuals "drink less." Critics argue that this advice lacks the necessary specificity to adequately inform healthcare providers and policymakers about the dangers of alcohol consumption. The prevailing scientific consensus aligns with the message that no level of alcohol consumption can be deemed safe. Notably, the updated guidelines have discontinued explicit daily intake recommendations, obscured the definition of a "standard drink," and notably omitted any suggestions that individuals under the age of 21 should abstain from drinking entirely. The absence of crucial insights from the federally funded Alcohol Intake and Health Study, which HHS was directed to overlook, further aggravates the matter.

Research indicates that consuming alcohol raises the risk of at least seven different cancers, including breast, liver, colon, and esophageal cancers. Moreover, alcohol consumption has been linked with heart disease, stroke, liver disease, alcohol use disorder, and a compromised immune system. Tiffany Hall, CEO of Recover Alaska and Chair of the USAPA Board, outlines the grave implications of daily alcohol intake, noting that a single alcoholic beverage per day poses a risk of one in 1,000 for alcohol-related death, a figure that escalates to one in 25 with two drinks.

According to USAPA, the public deserves clear and transparent information, especially as the consequences of alcohol consumption continue to mount. Last year, the organization published its own independent alcohol consumption guidelines, founded on peer-reviewed scientific research, which received endorsement from public health professionals across the nation. Their recommendations assert that complete abstinence offers the least health risk.

In light of the inadequacies presented in the current guidelines, USAPA is calling for immediate action from Congress and federal health agencies. They urge the release of the complete Alcohol Intake and Health Study, an independent examination of the alcohol section in the Dietary Guidelines, and the establishment of protections against industry influence in future guideline formulations.

Established in 2014, USAPA serves as a national advocate for responsible alcohol policies and aims to shed light on the alarming risks associated with alcohol consumption. They emphasize that public health should always take precedence over industry interests, marking it as a critical time for reform in dietary guidelines to genuinely protect Americans' health and wellbeing.

For those seeking additional information, USAPA provides resources and insights at AlcoholPolicy.org, further amplifying their commitment to raising awareness on alcohol-related risks and advocating for evidence-based policies. Through ongoing dialogue and systematic reform, USAPA aims to fortify the nation's public health standards against the pervasive threat posed by alcohol consumption.