A Silent Wave: Increases in Wisconsin's Alcohol- Related Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

Background: Alcohol-related mortality is an increasing public health concern in the United States. To date, no study has considered trends in alcohol-related deaths during the full COVID-19 pandemic period.

Methods: We analyzed deaths from Wisconsin vital statistics to explore the relationship between the pandemic period and any changes in alcohol-related mortality.

Results: In Wisconsin, the pandemic period was associated with additional alcohol-related mortality above and beyond a previously reported upward trend.

Discussion: We show that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with exacerbated alcohol-related mortality in Wisconsin. Alcohol use may need to be considered as an additional public health risk in future pandemic scenarios.