USAPA Urges White House to Address Alcohol Crisis Omitted from "Make America Healthy Again" Report
U.S. ALCOHOL POLICY ALLIANCE URGES WHITE HOUSE TO ADDRESS ALCOHOL CRISIS OMITTED FROM “MAKE AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN” REPORT
Alcohol-Related Deaths, ER Visits, and Hospitalizations Reach Historic Highs
The U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance is calling on President Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to immediately revise the newly released Make America Healthy Again report, citing a critical omission: the role of excessive alcohol consumption as a driving force behind America’s chronic health crisis.
“We cannot ignore the numbers,” said Mike Marshall, CEO of USAPA. “Alcohol use is killing Americans in record numbers, overwhelming our hospitals, and fueling a public health and economic emergency — yet it is entirely absent from the White House’s flagship health report.”
According to the latest national data:
- 7% of youth ages 12–17 and 10% of U.S. adults meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder.
- More adolescents use alcohol than vape or use cannabis leading to more than 4,000 juvenile deaths each year.
- In 2022, alcohol use led to 4.27 million emergency room visits, 1.99 million hospitalizations, and 178,307 deaths.
- Alcohol is linked to 5% of all new cancer diagnoses, 29% of homicides, and 32% of fatal car crashes.
The MAHA report comes on the heels of another serious public health development — one with far-reaching implications for youth and communities across the country. Despite nearly two decades of bipartisan support and a proven track record of effectiveness, all four federal programs specifically designed to prevent underage drinking (under the umbrella of the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking (STOP) Act are slated for elimination under the President’s FY26 skinny budget proposal, a move public health experts warn could reverse hard-won progress in reducing youth alcohol use and its related harms.
“Alcohol is a toxic, addictive carcinogen,” Marshall emphasized. “It is time for the Administration to follow the science and act with urgency.”
Even U.S. Surgeon General nominee Casey Means, MD, has affirmed, “Recent research suggests there is no safe amount of alcohol.” Both President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have publicly discussed making personal changes to reduce their alcohol consumption.
USAPA is urging the Administration to provide Americans with clear, evidence-based guidance on reducing alcohol harm — starting with acknowledging its role in the nation’s worsening health crisis.
About the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance
Founded in 2014, the U.S. Alcohol Policy Alliance is the national voice on alcohol policy — working to change the narrative about alcohol, define an actionable agenda for policy-making on all levels, and build a movement driven by the truth that alcohol harms. Envisioning a nation free from alcohol-related disease, death and injury, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization is leading the fight to change America’s relationship with alcohol by translating alcohol policy research into public health practice. To learn more, including ways to support the organization, visit www.AlcoholPolicy.org and follow USAPA on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.
