Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Etiology, and other "-ologies".

This post will cover a few sections combined together because I feel they can be better explained if talked about in tandem with each other.

This article is where a lot of my information is gathered on pathophysiology:

Wiley online library-Alcoholic Liver Disease

Along with other sources from the CDC, WHO, and other organizations:

CDC Alcohol Facts

WHO Report on USA Alcohol Consumption (2010)

Epidemiology maps; these links go to the WHO database for maps that display countries health statistics in different categories. You can use the drop down menu and select "Alcohol and health" for a selection of maps with information on alcohol consumption around the world. 

WHO Health Maps

As you can see by this map in 2012 the percent of DALYs attributed to alcohol was between 5-10% in the US. DALY stands for Disability Adjusted Life Year and account for the percent if projected years of life lost due to medical issues. 

This presents a significant proportion of deaths and years lost to health as alcohol related. These deaths come from many sources, the primary ones being Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) and physical injury due to accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and falls. 

While this shows that 2-5% of deaths are alcohol related in the US. 

This is a significant portion of deaths. 

There is a direct correlation between alcohol consumed per capita and number of cases of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). 

According to the report by the WHO males are much more likely to partake in alcohol consumption, heavy alcohol use, binge drinking, and alcohol dependence. Whereas the age group most at risk is between the ages of 15-25. Women are much more likely to be abstainers from alcohol, but women are more susceptible to damage caused by alcohol than men if they are heavy users. Children and pregnant women should never drink alcohol as it can be extremely harmful to them. 

A variety of genetic and social factors also contribute to the chances of alcohol dependence or abuse. 

-Children who are raised in a home with alcoholics show an increased risk

-Children raised in foster homes show an increased risk

-Children or adults who experience abuse are at an increased risk

-Individuals with mental disorders are at increased risk

Many social factors could be mitigated when raised in a home that promotes the child's well being. 

Education about the risks of excessive alcohol consumption is a key necessity in societies where alcohol leads to the death and injury of so many.