Op-Ed: Why America needs honest alcohol guidelines

By Mike Marshall, CEO of the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance

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America is facing a quiet but deadly crisis. In 2023, 178,000 Americans died from excessive alcohol use, a 29% increase over just a few years earlier (2016-2017), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite this, reports suggest that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., under pressure from industry lobbyists, is considering weakening alcohol-related recommendations in the upcoming U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

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If true, this would be a grave disservice to the American people.

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Alcohol is not just a recreational indulgence. It is a toxic, addictive substance linked to cancer, liver disease and early death. Two scientific reviews recently commissioned by the federal government reinforce what health experts have long known: Even low levels of drinking increase serious health risks. One study concluded that there is no safe level of alcohol use, a conclusion echoed by Canada, Australia and the World Health Organization.

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