Graphic of the week: Alcohol Awareness Month

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and data shows that alcohol-involved deaths have nearly doubled in Ohio over the past decade, as illustrated above.

Alcohol use is influenced by many factors, including stress, trauma, mental health challenges and experiences of discrimination. However, alcohol use can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions over time and lead to other health challenges.
 
A 2023 HPIO data snapshot found that since 2007, deaths among working-age Ohioans due to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis -- deaths that are directly related to alcohol consumption -- increased by 72% and is the sixth leading cause of death among Ohioans ages 15 to 64.
 
According to HPIO’s 2024 Health Value Dashboard, Ohio ranks 34th compared to other states and  D.C. on excessive drinking, meaning Ohio is worse than most other states.
 
The CDC has developed a self-screening tool that allows users to gauge their alcohol use and create a personalized plan to drink less.