Researchers estimate that 142,000 people died due to drug use in 2016. Markus Spiske / Unsplash
By George Citroner
- Recent research finds that official government figures may be underestimating drug deaths by half.
- Researchers estimate that 142,000 people died due to drug use in 2016.
- Drug use decreases life expectancy after age 15 by 1.4 years for men and by just under 1 year for women, on average.
Government records may be severely underreporting how many Americans die from drug use, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University.
<p>Researchers analyzed more than 44 million death certificates issued nationwide over an 18-year period to identify nearly 670,000 deaths that coded as drug-related.</p>
<p class=""><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/drugs-may-be-killing-twice-as-many-americans-as-previously-thought#Reasons-why-unknown" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
<p>Their models showed these drug-coded deaths, which included drug overdoses and mental health and behavioral conditions related to drug use, only accounted for about half of all drug-associated deaths.</p><p>The study was <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0226732" target="_blank">published</a> in PLOS One.</p>
Drug Epidemic More Serious Than Previously Thought
<p>According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db294.htm" target="_blank">reported</a> rate of drug-related deaths among 15- to 64-year-olds was 9 percent in 2016. This is already a significant rise from about 4 percent 7 years earlier, when the NCHS classified 63,000 deaths as drug-related.</p><p>However, that estimate didn't include deaths that aren't related to overdose but can still involve drug use, such as HIV, suicide, and blood vessel damage.</p><p>Including these factors, researchers estimate the actual figure is more than double the NCHS figures, at 142,000 people dead due to drug use in 2016.</p><p>"These findings should be accentuating the wakeup call that has already been announced year after year, as the drug overdose deaths are revealed by the National Center [for] Health Statistics. The fact is that, apparently, the drug epidemic is twice as serious as indicated by those analyses," <a href="https://sociology.sas.upenn.edu/people/samuel-preston" target="_blank">Samuel Preston</a>, PhD, professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the study authors, told Healthline.</p><p>In 2017, more than <a href="https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates" target="_blank">70,000 Americans</a> died from drug overdoses, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.</p>‘Deaths of Despair,’ Infectious Disease, and Heart Disease
<p>According to Preston's findings:</p><ul><li>More than 20,000 men and almost 10,000 women died of circulatory diseases, like heart failure, linked to drug use.</li><li>Nearly 3,000 men and about 1,000 women died of infectious or parasitic diseases, which include HIV and hepatitis, due to drug use.</li></ul><p>Also, drugs were the likely cause of death from mental health or behavioral causes, like suicide.</p><p>Suicide is included with drug and alcohol overdoses as "<a href="https://www.jec.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/republicans/2019/9/long-term-trends-in-deaths-of-despair" target="_blank">deaths of despair</a>," something that affects <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5607702/" target="_blank">rural areas</a> of Middle America in particular.</p><p>Preston admits he wasn't surprised by the findings.</p><p>"I think we believed that there would be residual effects of drug use that were not showing up in overdose deaths, and that's what we found. We didn't know what the multiplier would be exactly, but I think two [double the NCHS number] is not an unreasonable, unexpected outcome," he said.</p>Reasons Why Unknown
<p>While this study reveals the magnitude of a disturbing trend, researchers say it doesn't establish the reasons why. However, there are two prevailing theories:</p><ul><li>The drug supply has increased with the introduction of prescription opioids like fentanyl and oxycontin as well as nonprescription drugs like heroin.</li><li>Deaths that stem from the misuse of alcohol, other drugs, and suicide may be impacted by depression.</li></ul><p>"It's not just about the supply of drugs, but that there's something else behind all of it that causes people to either use drugs or alcohol or commit suicide because they've lost interest in their life," co-study author Dana Glei, senior research investigator at Georgetown University, explained in a <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/uop-del011420.php" target="_blank">statement</a>.</p>Impact Varies by State
<p>Researchers found the drug epidemic seems to have had little impact on the Plains states like Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and the Dakotas.</p><p>However, the regions experiencing higher drug death rates are dispersed across the country. They include the Appalachian states, parts of New England, and most of the Southwest, including Utah.</p><p>"Among deaths at ages 15–64 in 2016, the drug-associated fraction is highest in West Virginia at 39% for men and 27% for women and lowest in Nebraska," the study authors <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0226732" target="_blank">wrote</a>.</p><p>The study also finds that drug use decreases life expectancy after age 15 by 1.4 years for men and by just under 1 year for women, on average.</p><p>However, the researchers found the figures are more than twice as high in West Virginia, one of the states hit hardest by the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/opioids" rel="noopener noreferrer">opioid</a> crisis.</p><p>Preston points out that Pennsylvania is another state especially affected by the current drug crisis.</p><p>The study found that in 2016, Pennsylvania deaths attributable to drugs were 34 percent in males and almost 25 percent in women, between ages 15 and 64 years.</p><p>"It's saying something fairly deep about what's going on in this country, isn't it?" Preston concluded.</p>Not All Experts Agree
<p>"It's an interesting analysis. But my initial reaction is that drug-related is highly complex and vague. There are so many drugs, from prescription to illegal drugs, and drug-related is nebulous," said <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/ericding/home" target="_blank">Eric Feigl-Ding</a>, a health economist, epidemiologist, and nutrition scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and an expert adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO).</p><p>"It includes not just opioids but also HIV-fighting drugs, chronic disease drugs, and others. Also, this analysis covers so many diseases too. It's hard to interpret, and hard to use to inform the drug crisis," he said.</p><p>Feigl-Ding adds it's very tricky to interpret data between states because, as researchers noted in the study's limitations, "the practice of identifying, or capacity to determine, intent for drug poisonings varies across states."</p><p>Feigl-Ding also specifies this study is ecologic, and it uses another approximation method that has many assumptions in indirect modeling.</p><p>Feigl-Ding clarifies that "ecologic means the analysis is done at the generic state level and not county (better) or individual level (best)."</p><p>He emphasizes the study authors used drug deaths as a proxy of other nondrug deaths that are likely drug-related, and that makes the results very difficult to interpret.</p><p>"This method is not used at all by major U.S. Burden of Disease expert groups or WHO-supported Global Burden of Disease groups," Feigl-Ding said.</p><p>"For example, 'alcohol and drug use' are lumped together, and percent mortality in the U.S. is presented here," he said.</p>The Bottom Line
<p>As the opioid epidemic continues to affect Americans, recent research finds that official government figures may be underestimating drug deaths by half.</p><p>Researchers included drug deaths due to infectious or cardiovascular disease and "deaths of despair," like suicide, in their estimate.</p><p>Although deaths due to drug use are increasing nationwide, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are among the states most severely affected.</p><p>However, not all experts agree with the research method that was used to produce these findings.</p>From Your Site Articles
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One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve overall health is to eat more whole foods. ThitareeSarmkasat / iStock/ Getty Images Plus
By Jillian Kubala
A new year often signifies a fresh start for many people. For some, this means setting health goals, such as losing weight, following a healthier diet, and starting an exercise routine.
<p>However, more often than not, the health and wellness resolutions chosen are highly restrictive and unsustainable, leading most people to break their resolutions within a few weeks. This is why many people make the same resolutions year after year.</p><p>To break that cycle, it's important to make resolutions that can not only improve health but also be followed for life.</p><p>Here are 23 New Year's resolutions you can actually keep.</p>
<h2>1. Eat More Whole Foods</h2><p>One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve overall health is to eat more <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/21-reasons-to-eat-real-food" target="_blank">whole foods</a>.</p><p>Whole <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/food/">foods</a>, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, contain a plethora of nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level.</p><p>Research shows that following a whole-foods-based diet may significantly reduce heart disease risk factors, body weight, and blood sugar levels, as well as decrease your risk of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes.</p><p>What's more, adding more whole foods to your diet can be done slowly and consistently. For example, if you're not used to eating vegetables, start by adding one serving of your favorite veggie to your diet every day.</p>
<h2>2. Sit Less and Move More</h2><p>Whether it's due to having a sedentary job or simply being inactive, many people sit more than they should. <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-sitting-is-bad-for-you" target="_blank">Sitting too much</a> can have negative effects on health. In fact, it may be linked to an <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4960753/" target="_blank">increased risk of overall mortality</a>.</p><p>Making a resolution to sit less is an easy and attainable resolution that can be tailored to fit your lifestyle.</p><p>For example, if you have a desk job that requires long periods of sitting, make a resolution to go for a 15-minute walk at lunch or to get up and walk for 5 minutes every hour.</p>
<h2>3. Cut Back on Sweetened Beverages</h2><p>Cutting back on <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-sugary-soda-is-bad-for-you" target="_blank">sweetened beverages</a> is a smart idea considering that sugary drinks are linked to an increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease, insulin resistance, and cavities in both children and adults.</p><p>Though quitting sweetened beverages cold turkey is always an option, gradually minimizing your intake may help you kick your sugary drink habit for good.</p>
<h2>4. Get More Quality Sleep</h2><p>Sleep is an <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-why-good-sleep-is-important" target="_blank">essential part of overall health</a>, and sleep deprivation can lead to serious consequences. For instance, lack of sleep may increase your risk of weight gain, heart disease, and depression.</p><p>There are many reasons why people don't get enough sleep, so it's important to focus on your schedule and lifestyle to determine the best ways to improve sleep quantity and quality.</p><p>Decreasing screen time before bed, reducing light pollution in your bedroom, cutting back on caffeine, and getting to bed at a reasonable hour are some simple ways to improve sleep hygiene.</p>
<h2>5. Find a Physical Activity That You Enjoy</h2><p>Every New Year, people purchase expensive memberships to gyms, workout studios, and online fitness programs in hopes of shedding excess body fat in the year to come. Though most people start strong, the majority don't make their new routine into a lasting habit.</p><p>Still, you can increase the chances of making your fitness resolutions stick. To get started, <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-start-exercising" target="_blank">choose an activity</a> based on enjoyment and whether it fits into your schedule.</p><p>For example, taking a half-hour walk, jog, or bike ride before work, or swimming at a gym that's on your way home, are simple and sustainable exercise resolutions.</p><p>Then, set an attainable goal, such as planning to walk a few specific days per week instead of aiming for every day.</p><p>Making a more realistic goal can enhance the chances of making your new routine last, especially if you're new to working out.</p>
<h2>6. Take More 'Me Time' and Practice Self-Care</h2><p>Taking time for yourself is not selfish. In fact, it's imperative for optimal health and wellbeing. This is especially true for those in caretaker roles, such as parents and healthcare workers.</p><p>For people with busy schedules and limited time, making a resolution to engage in <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/self-care-for-depression#1" target="_blank">self-care</a> may take some planning. However, it's well worth the time investment.</p><p>Self-care doesn't have to be elaborate or time consuming. It can simply mean taking a bath every week, attending your favorite weekly <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-benefits-of-yoga" target="_blank">yoga class</a>, preparing a healthy meal for yourself, going for a walk in nature, or getting an extra hour of sleep.</p>
<h2>7. Cook More Meals at Home</h2><p>Research shows that people who <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/home-cooking-versus-takeout" target="_blank">cook more meals at home</a> have better diet quality and less body fat than people who eat more meals on the go.</p><p>In fact, a study in 11,396 adults found that those who ate 5 or more home-cooked meals per week were 28% less likely to be overweight, compared with those who ate fewer than 3 home-cooked meals per week.</p><p>Start by making one meal a day, then increase the frequency over time until you're making the majority of your meals and snacks at home.</p>
<h2>8. Spend More Time Outside</h2><p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/spending-two-hours-a-week-in-nature-can-help-your-health" target="_blank">Spending more time outdoors</a> can improve health by relieving stress, elevating mood, and even lowering blood pressure.</p><p>Making a New Year's resolution to spend more time outside every day is a sustainable and healthy goal that can benefit most everyone, no matter where you live.</p><p>Taking a walk outside during your lunch break, hiking on weekends, going camping with friends, or simply soaking in the beauty of your backyard or local park are all ways to incorporate nature into your daily routine.</p>
<h2>9. Limit Screen Time</h2><p>Many people depend on their phones and computers for work and entertainment. However, spending too much time on electronic devices — particularly on social media — has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness in some studies.</p><p>Setting a resolution to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/limit-your-screen-time" target="_blank">cut back</a> on the time you spend scrolling through social media, watching TV, or playing computer games may help boost your mood and enhance productivity.</p>
<h2>10. Try Meditation</h2><p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-benefits-of-meditation" target="_blank">Meditation</a> is an evidence-based way to promote mental well-being. It may be particularly helpful for people who have anxiety or depression.</p><p>Trying out this practice is a perfect New Year's resolution because there are many ways to meditate, and it's easy to find books, podcasts, and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps" target="_blank">apps</a> that teach you how to start a meditation practice.</p>
<h2>11. Rely Less on Convenience Foods</h2><p>Many people rely on convenience foods, such as packaged chips, cookies, frozen dinners, and fast food, for a quick meal or snack. Though these items may be tasty and readily available, they can have detrimental effects on your health if eaten too often.</p><p>For example, frequent <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/fast-food-effects-on-body" target="_blank">fast food intake</a> is associated with poor overall diet quality, obesity, and an increased risk of numerous conditions, including heart disease and diabetes.</p><p>To cut back on your consumption of convenience foods, make a resolution to prepare more meals at home using healthy ingredients.</p>
<h2>12. Stop Dieting</h2><p>Chronic dieting is harmful to both physical and mental health. Plus, most people who lose weight through restrictive dieting regain up to two-thirds of the weight lost within 1 year.</p><p>Dieting can also make it harder to lose weight in the future.</p><p>Rather than setting a New Year's resolution to lose weight by using restrictive measures, such as a fad diet, try a healthier, more <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-lose-weight-as-fast-as-possible" target="_blank">sustainable method of weight loss</a> by focusing on increasing physical activity and eating healthier foods.</p>
<h2>13. Go Grocery Shopping Regularly</h2><p>Having a well-stocked pantry and fridge is necessary to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals.</p><p>If you're not used to going <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-grocery-list" target="_blank">grocery shopping</a>, make a New Year's resolution to go to the supermarket or farmer's market more regularly to stock up on nutritious ingredients.</p><p>Depending on your schedule, it may be helpful to designate one day each week as your day to shop. Ensuring that you have time to buy the groceries you need to make tasty, nourishing meals is a savvy way to improve your diet quality.</p>
<h2>14. Use Healthier Household Products</h2><p>It's obvious that what you put into your body can significantly impact your health. However, what you choose to put onto your body and what products you use in your home matter, too.</p><p>Make a New Year's resolution to purchase more <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/natural-makeup" target="_blank">natural beauty products</a>, household cleaners, laundry detergents, and personal care products to create a healthier environment for yourself and your family.</p>
<h2>15. Add More Produce to Your Diet<br></h2><p>Adding more cooked and raw vegetables and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/20-healthiest-fruits" target="_blank">fruits</a> to your diet can go a long way towards improving your health in the new year.</p><p>Numerous studies have shown that eating a diet rich in produce helps protect against various illnesses, such as diabetes, heart diseases, certain cancers, and obesity, as well as overall mortality.</p>
<h2>16. Cut Back on Alcohol</h2><p>Though <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/alcohol-good-or-bad" target="_blank">alcohol</a> can certainly fit into a healthy diet, imbibing too often can negatively affect your health. What's more, drinking alcohol frequently may keep you from reaching your health and wellness goals.</p><p>If you think cutting back on alcohol may be helpful for you, set a reasonable goal to keep yourself on track, such as limiting drinking to weekend nights only or setting a drink limit for the week.</p><p>If you need a non-alcoholic beverage idea to replace your usual cocktail of choice, try fruit-infused sparkling water, kombucha, or one of <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hour-fatigue/mocktail-recipes" target="_blank">these fun mocktails</a>.</p>
<h2>17. Be More Present</h2><p>Research shows that being more present may improve life satisfaction by decreasing negative thoughts, which may thereby improve psychological health.</p><p>Making a New Year's resolution to be more <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mindfulness-tricks-to-reduce-anxiety#1" target="_blank">mindful</a> and present may help you feel more content in your everyday life.</p><p>Spending less time on your phone, stopping to notice your environment, and listening intently to others are simple ways to be more present.</p>
<h2>18. Take a Vacation</h2><p>Taking a vacation — even a short one — may have significant and immediate positive effects on stress levels and may enhance well-being.</p><p>In the new year, make a resolution to take a vacation with friends or family members, or on your own. Whether you travel to an area you've always wanted to visit or simply plan a <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/staycations" target="_blank">staycation</a> at home, taking some time for rest and relaxation is important for health.<span></span></p>
<h2>19. Try a New Hobby</h2><p>It's common for adults to let once-loved hobbies fall by the wayside as they get older due to busy schedules or lack of motivation.</p><p>However, research shows that partaking in a hobby that you love can help you live a longer, healthier life.</p><p>Make a resolution to try out a hobby that you've always been interested in — or pick back up a hobby that used to bring you joy.</p>
<h2>20. Stop Negative Body Talk</h2><p>Talking negatively about your body can lead to feelings of body shame. In fact, research shows that engaging in and hearing negative body talk is associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction and decreased self-esteem in both women and men.</p><p>Make a healthy New Year's resolution to engage in <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/positive-self-talk" target="_blank">positive self-talk</a> regularly and reduce negative body talk. This may not only help improve your relationship with your own body but also encourage others to stop talking negatively about themselves.</p>
<h2>21. Visit Your Doctor</h2><p><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/physical-examination" target="_blank">Getting examined regularly</a> by your healthcare practitioner is important for many reasons. Having regular blood work and necessary screenings can help spot potential problems before they turn into something more serious.</p><p>Though your pace of doctor's visits depends on many things, including the type of medical care, your age, and your medical history, most experts recommend seeing your primary care physician at least once a year for a checkup.</p>
<h2>22. Take Care of Your Teeth</h2><p>Maintaining your <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health" target="_blank">oral health</a> is a New Year's resolution idea that can and should be sustained for life.</p><p>Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can help prevent oral conditions like gum disease and bad breath.</p><p>What's more, some research suggests that gum disease may be associated with serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer's and heart disease, making oral care all the more important.<span></span></p><p>In addition to regular brushing and flossing, most dentists recommend a checkup and cleaning at least once a year.</p>
<h2>23. Create a Sustainable, Nourishing Diet</h2><p>You may be making a resolution to eat healthier or lose weight year after year because you're prioritizing short-term changes over long-term health benefits.</p><p>Instead of making a plan to follow yet another restrictive fad diet, this New Year, make a resolution to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/yo-yo-dieting" target="_blank">break the dieting cycle</a> and create a sustainable, nourishing eating pattern that works for you.</p><p>The healthiest diet is one that's rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods and low in heavily processed, sugary products. A healthy, long-term diet should not only be nutritious but also adaptable, meaning you can follow it for life — no matter the circumstances.</p><p>A sustainable eating pattern can be maintained on vacation, during holidays, and at parties because it's unrestrictive and suited to your lifestyle. Check out <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-eating-for-beginners" target="_blank">this beginners' guide to healthy eating</a> to get started.</p>
<h2>The Bottom Line</h2><p>Though most New Year's resolutions are only kept for a short period, the healthy resolutions listed above are sustainable ways to improve your physical and <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/emotional-health" target="_blank">emotional health</a> that can be followed for life.</p><p>Creating a healthier relationship with food and taking better care of your body and mind can drastically improve your health in various ways.</p><p>This New Year, try out a few of the resolutions in this article to help make this year — and the years that follow — the healthiest and happiest possible.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="http://healthline.com" target="_blank">Healthline</a>.<br></em><em>For detailed source information, please see the original story on <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/realistic-new-years-resolutions#The-bottom-line" target="_blank">Healthline</a>.</em></p>
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An increasing number of Americans are taking the wheel under the influence of marijuana. JasonDoiy / iStock / Getty Images Plus
The Center for Disease Control's (CDC) latest survey found that an increasing number of Americans are taking the wheel under the influence of marijuana, according to a new report released on Thursday.
<p>As the narcotic becomes more acceptable for recreational use and more widely available, there has been a substantial rise in the number of motorists who apparently feel disposed to drive after consuming it, as <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/driving-and-marijuana-cdc-reports-nearly-50-spike-high-motorists/2705204001/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> reported. In fact, the number of motorists who admitted to driving after inhaling or ingesting marijuana rose 47 percent over a 4-year span.</p><p>The data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that 12 million people admitted to driving under the influence in 2018, which was 4.7 percent of all motorists, as <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/driving-and-marijuana-cdc-reports-nearly-50-spike-high-motorists/2705204001/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> reported.</p><p>In fact, the researchers found that in the 16-25 age group, the percentage of those driving after consuming weed more than tripled, from 3.2 percent to 10.8 percent, according to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/driving-and-marijuana-cdc-reports-nearly-50-spike-high-motorists/2705204001/" target="_blank">USA Today</a>.</p><p>While that trend alarms public health officials, it is also small compared to the nearly 20.5 million people, or 8 percent of motorists, who admitted to driving after drinking, as <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/19/health/marijuana-driving-study/index.html" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported. The good news is, that number actually represents a decline in drunk driving. In 2014, 27.7 million motorists drove while impaired by alcohol.</p><p>Additionally, 2.3 million said they had driven under the influence of illicit drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine, which totaled 0.9 percent of motorists.</p><p>As a caveat, this is also self-reported data, which means the numbers may reflect a growing acceptance of marijuana so people are more willing to admit to consuming it as it becomes less taboo.</p><p>"Impaired driving is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed to safeguard the health and safety of all who use the road," CDC researchers said, according to <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-12-20/cdc-drugged-driving-a-serious-public-health-issue" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a>.</p>
<p>The report found that the most likely group to drive under the influence of marijuana were non-Hispanic males, aged 21 to 25, followed by males aged 16-20. Narcotic use amongst younger drivers is of "special concern" according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6850a1.htm?s_cid=mm6850a1_w" target="_blank">report</a> since that demographic is the most inexperienced set of drivers and most prone to accidents, according to <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-12-20/cdc-drugged-driving-a-serious-public-health-issue" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a>.</p><p>The authors of the report found that the increased availability and accessibility to marijuana as more states legalize it for recreational use means public health officials need to develop methods to quickly identify if a driver is affected by pot or another narcotic, as <a href="http://cnn/" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported.</p><p>The researchers also believe there is a need for a nationwide standard for toxicology tests and a need for law enforcement and public health officials to improve their detection and prevention of impaired driving. Unlike the nationwide tests for detecting drunk-drivers through blood alcohol content, there is no nationwide standard for detecting drivers under the influence of drugs, as <a href="http://cnn/" target="_blank">CNN</a> reported.</p><p>"[E]ffective measures that deter driving under the influence of drugs are limited," researchers said, according to <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-12-20/cdc-drugged-driving-a-serious-public-health-issue" target="_blank">U.S. News and World Report</a>.</p><p>"Any person who uses cannabis should not be operating a motor vehicle. Period,'' said Robert Glatter, an emergency room physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, as <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/driving-and-marijuana-cdc-reports-nearly-50-spike-high-motorists/2705204001/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> reported. "It places themselves, other drivers and all pedestrians at risk for death and injury.''</p>
<p>However, Glatter added that he sees many more patients involved in crashes under the influence of alcohol rather than marijuana, which is commensurate with national statistics. Every year more than 100,000 Americans die in alcohol-related traffic accidents, according to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/19/driving-and-marijuana-cdc-reports-nearly-50-spike-high-motorists/2705204001/" target="_blank">USA Today</a>. The CDC does not have a tally of marijuana-related traffic fatalities.</p>
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Extracted from the sap of the coconut, the "lambanog" was once considered a lowly peasant's drink whose potency they claim puts those of well-known liquors and spirits around the world in the shade. JAY DIRECTO / AFP / Getty Images
Christmas celebrations turned sour when 11 people died and over 300 were hospitalized in the Philippines after drinking a batch of poisonous coconut wine, local police said on Monday.
<p>Holiday revelers in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, south of Manila, fell ill after drinking a wine called lambanog, a traditional Filipino alcoholic drink that is made from coconut sap. It generally has a high alcohol content of around 40 percent, and is often distilled in informal and unsanitary environments.</p>
<p>Those who consumed the drink were rushed to hospitals with symptoms including stomach aches, vomiting and numbness, while some collapsed and lost consciousness, according to the police report. Two were reportedly comatose before arriving at the hospital for treatment.</p><p>The deaths occurred in Rizal, a small municipality of Laguna province, between Thursday and Sunday. Rizal's mayor, Vener Munoz, told local media that two people who were in critical condition were on the mend, and that the wine had been produced there.</p><p>"All had a sad history of lambanog ingestion," Reuters quoted the local police department as saying. "Some bought for leisure drinking and birthday party, while others were donated by local officials during their Christmas party."</p>
<p>Last year, more than 10 people died after consuming the same drink. Jose Jonas Del Rosario, a doctor and spokesman for Manila's Philippine General Hospital, told AFP that methanol, a chemical that can cause blindness and death, is one of the byproducts of coconut wine fermentation.</p><p>Some lambanog producers choose to keep the high levels of methanol because it allows for a larger production volume and is thus more profitable, he added.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/eleven-dead-300-hospitalized-after-drinking-poisonous-coconut-wine/a-51777344" rel="noopener noreferrer">Deutsche Welle</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
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Having a drink at a holiday party but don't want to have too much?
<p>Whether you want to loosen up at a work or family function or just really like a friend's festive punch bowl concoction, it can be easy to consume too much alcohol without realizing it.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from </em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/" target="_blank"><em>Healthline</em></a><em>. For detailed source information, please view the original article on </em><em><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/5-best-ways-to-get-in-your-exercise-while-you-travel-for-the-holidays#Dont-sweat-ithttps://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-easy-is-it-to-binge-drink-during-the-holidays#Prevent-holiday-binge-drinking" rel="noopener noreferrer">Healthline</a></em><em>.</em></p>
<p>And drinking alcohol is <a href="https://www.alcohol.org/guides/booziest-holidays/" target="_blank">associated</a> with holiday celebrations.</p><p>"This creates the expectation that everyone will be drinking and that it is socially acceptable, or even expected, to do so," said <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/directors-page" target="_blank">George F. Koob</a>, PhD, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.</p><p>Many people throw around the term "binge drinking," but it's important to know what constitutes that, notes <a href="http://addiction.uchicago.edu/People.html" target="_blank">Ashley Vena</a>, PhD, who heads the Clinical Addictions Research Laboratory at the University of Chicago.</p><p>Binge drinking is defined as having five drinks for men and four drinks for women in a 2-hour time frame.</p><p>That can raise blood alcohol levels to 0.08 percent, which is considered legally drunk in most U.S. states.</p>
Why Holiday Boozing Is a Thing
<p>While people may binge drink for various reasons during this time of year, people who have higher expectations about the beneficial effects of drinking are more likely to binge.</p><p>In other words, you may be more likely to consume too much if you think it will help you have more fun at a party. Other personality traits and age can also lead to a higher likelihood of binge drinking, Vena says.</p><p>"Social pressure mixed with a brain chemistry deficiency provides a perfect storm for binge drinking," added <a href="https://drshosh.com/" target="_blank">Shoshana Bennett</a>, PhD, a psychologist from California.</p><p><a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323432.php#1" target="_blank">Research</a> has indicated that having low levels of dopamine may put people at risk for binge drinking.</p><p>"If a larger number of drinks in a short period of time is needed in order to receive the same chemical effect that most people get with one drink, it can easily lead to binge drinking," she added.</p>Harms of Holiday Drinking
<p>Overindulging may only cause a bad hangover, but it can lead to risky decision making, vomiting, and alcohol poisoning — not to mention the effects of intoxicated behavior.</p><p>Frequent binge drinking is a risk factor of alcohol use disorder and can have detrimental effects on numerous organs, including the liver, pancreas, intestines, heart, and brain.</p><p>Binge drinking during the holidays has specifically been linked to a phenomenon known as "holiday heart syndrome," which is a cardiac arrhythmia that occurs in people without a history of cardiovascular problems.</p><p>"Such cases are more prevalent during holidays as a result of increases in excessive alcohol consumption," Koob said.</p>Prevent Holiday Binge
<p>Even if you don't drink enough to be legally drunk, there are a few things you can do to avoid drinking too much:</p><h4>Be Mindful of Your Limits</h4><p>Know how alcohol affects you, and be aware of any medications you're taking that could increase the effects of alcohol.</p><p>While most of us are aware about the dangers of drinking too much, alcohol can lead to a distorted sense of confidence.</p><p>"People might truly believe they're fine to drive, while the truth is they are not," Bennett added. "Sometimes the self-awareness is clear, but embarrassment asking for a ride becomes a barrier."</p><h4>Make a Plan</h4><p>Monitor how much and how quickly you're consuming your drinks. If you know you may drink more than you want to, decide at the beginning of a party how many drinks you'll have and stick with the plan, Koob says.</p><p>A <a href="https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/" target="_blank">single serving of alcohol</a> is defined as:</p><ul><li>12 ounces of beer with 5 percent alcohol</li><li>5 ounces of wine with 12 percent alcohol</li><li>1.5 ounces of spirits with 40 percent alcohol</li></ul><p>"It is common to accidentally overpour drinks, and the extra alcohol can derail your plans to keep consumption to a minimum," Koob added.</p><h4>Eat Before or While You Drink</h4><p>This can help delay alcohol from entering your bloodstream.</p><p>"This will not prevent someone from becoming intoxicated, but it can slow the absorption of alcohol into the body and reduce the peak amount of alcohol that makes it to the brain," Koob said.</p><h4><span></span>Pace Yourself With Nonalcoholic Drinks</h4><p>Like having a drink in hand? Alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water or club soda, Vena suggests. This way, you can still drink but won't be filling up on alcohol so quickly, and can hopefully avoid having too much of it.</p>From Your Site Articles
- The 15 Best Foods to Eat Before Drinking Alcohol - EcoWatch ›
- How Much Alcohol Is Too Much? - EcoWatch ›
- Why Drinking Can Make You Feel Extra Anxious Over the Holidays ... ›
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Food Politics
Nature, the prestigious science magazine from Great Britain, has just published a commentary with a provocative title–The toxic truth about sugar—and an even more provocative subtitle—Added sweeteners pose dangers to health that justify controlling them like alcohol.
The authors, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt and Claire Brindis, are researchers at the University of California medical center in San Francisco (UCSF).
They argue that although tobacco, alcohol and diet are critically important behavioral risk factors in chronic disease, only two of them—tobacco and alcohol—are regulated by governments to protect public health.
Now, they say, it’s time to regulate sugar. By sugar, they mean sugars plural—sucrose as well as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Both are about half fructose.
Their rationale?
- Consumption of sugars has tripled over the last 50 years.
- Many people consume as much as 500 calories a day from sugars (average per capita availability in the U.S. is about 400 calories a day)
- High intake of fructose-containing sugars induce metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, insulin resistance), diabetes, and liver damage.
- Sugars have the potential for abuse.
- Sugars have negative effects on society (mediated via obesity).
- Too much of a good thing can be toxic.
Therefore, they argue, societies should intervene and consider the kinds of policies that have proven effective for control of tobacco and alcohol:
- Taxes
- Distribution controls
- Age limits
- Bans from schools
- Licensing requirements
- Zoning ordinances
- Bans on TV commercials
- Labeling added sugars
- Removal of fructose from GRAS status
In a statement that greatly underestimates the situation, they say:
We recognize that societal intervention to reduce the supply and demand for sugar faces an uphill political battle against a powerful sugar lobby, and will require active engagement from all stakeholders.
But, they conclude:
These simple measures—which have all been on the battleground of American politics—are now taken for granted as essential tools for our public health and well-being. It’s time to turn our attention to sugar.
What is one to make of this? Sugar is a delight, nobody is worried about the fructose in fruit or carrots, and diets can be plenty healthy with a little sugar sprinkled here and there.
The issue is quantity. Sugars are not a problem, or not nearly as much of a problem, for people who balance calorie intake with expenditure.
Scientists can argue endlessly about whether obesity is a cause or an effect of metabolic dysfunction, but most people would be healthier if they ate less sugar.
The bottom line? As Corinna Hawkes, the author of numerous reports on worldwide food marketing, wrote me this morning, “there are plenty of reasons for people to consume less sugar without having to worry about whether it’s toxic or not!”
For more information, click here.