Survey Reveals Growing Concerns Among Americans About Alcohol's Health Risks

A recent survey indicates that a majority of Americans now associate alcohol consumption, even in moderation, with negative health effects. This marks a notable shift in public perception as the overall drinking rates in the United States continue to decline.

The Gallup poll, which has tracked alcohol consumption patterns since 1939, reports that only 54% of Americans currently consume alcohol, whether occasionally or regularly. This figure represents the lowest level of reported alcohol use since the survey's inception, with previous years averaging over 60% participation from 1997 to 2023.

Additionally, those who consume alcohol have reported lower quantities, with an average of 2.8 drinks per week--the lowest average recorded by Gallup since 1996. The survey also highlights a significant change regarding public attitudes towards moderate drinking. The proportion of respondents who consider moderate alcohol consumption--defined as up to two drinks per day--as detrimental to personal health has increased to 53% in 2025, a substantial rise from just 27% in the early 2000s.

This evolving attitude toward alcohol consumption is coinciding with a reevaluation of alcohol's health implications within the medical community. Earlier this year, the former U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, advocated for warning labels on alcohol products, emphasizing that alcohol is a well-documented, preventable cause of various cancers. He highlighted that it accounts for approximately 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer-related deaths annually in the United States, pointing out the critical need for increased public awareness about these risks.

The findings of the Gallup survey reflect both changing drinking habits among Americans and a growing recognition of the potential health hazards associated with alcohol. As the dialogue surrounding public health continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these perspectives will influence future consumption trends and health policies.