Increased Alcohol Consumption During COVID-19 Projected To Cause More Liver Disease

Alcohol consumption during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency is projected to cause more liver disease and liver-related deaths. Excessive drinking (such as binge drinking) increased by about 21% between February to March 2020, when the COVID-19 public health emergency began, and November 2020. The number of drinks per day rose by 29%. By 2040, that one-year increase is projected to cause 8,000 additional deaths from alcohol-related liver disease; 18,700 cases of liver failure; and 1,000 cases of liver cancer.

By 2023, the 2020 one-year increase in alcohol consumption . . .