Decline in Alcohol Consumption Among Americans Driven by Health Concerns

Recent data reveals a notable decrease in alcohol consumption among U.S. adults, coinciding with rising awareness of health risks associated with drinking. A poll conducted by Gallup in July indicates that only 54% of Americans now consume alcohol, marking the lowest level in nearly 90 years of tracking. Historically, over 60% of Americans reported drinking in recent decades, with the previous low being 55% in 1958. This downward trend reflects a growing perception that even moderate drinking—defined as one or two drinks per day—may pose health hazards, with 53% of adults now viewing moderate alcohol consumption as harmful. This is a significant rise from just 28% in 2015 and 45% last year. The survey highlights that younger adults aged 18-34 are the most likely to see moderate drinking as risky, with nearly two-thirds holding this belief. Meanwhile, older adults are increasingly cautious, with half of those aged 55 and above now considering moderate drinking dangerous, up from 20% a decade ago. Experts suggest that younger generations have grown up in an environment where the health implications of alcohol are emphasized more prominently, influencing their attitudes. The decline in drinking is also seen in the reduction of recent alcohol use, with only about a quarter of drinkers consuming alcohol in the past 24 hours—a historic low—and roughly 40% abstaining for over a week. Interestingly, this trend is not merely due to shifts towards marijuana use, which has remained stable, but is more likely attributable to increased health concerns. The U.S. government’s dietary guidelines have long recommended limiting or abstaining from alcohol, with future updates anticipated to reinforce these recommendations. Additionally, there is a greater awareness of alcohol-related health issues, including its strong link to certain cancers. In January, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy advocated for warning labels on alcohol beverages, citing that alcohol contributes to approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the U.S., surpassing fatalities from alcohol-related accidents. The overall trend indicates that many Americans are reducing their alcohol intake, with some opting to abstain altogether, as health concerns dominate public perception. These findings are based on telephone interviews with a diverse sample of over 1,000 adults across the U.S., with a margin of error of about 4%. Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-americans-alcohol-health.html