Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Alcohol-Related Deaths and Hospitalizations During Pandemic

A comprehensive study comparing alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations before and after the pandemic has uncovered startling results. Researchers found a 1,600-person increase in deaths than expected, along with an eight percent jump in hospitalizations, reaching 14 percent in 2020 and 2021.

Unexpected Surge in Alcohol Sales Despite Pandemic Restrictions

The research also noted that alcohol retail sales saw the highest increase in a decade, even in the absence of tourists in Canada. The authors suggest that designating alcohol as “essential” and allowing liquor stores to remain open during lockdowns, coupled with the ease of home delivery, may have counterproductive effects on public health messaging about its harms.

Expert Insights into the Causes of Increased Alcohol Consumption

Dr. Yipu Shi, the lead author of the study, attributes the surge in drinking to increased stress, boredom, and declining mental health during the pandemic. The findings, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, analyzed data from 2016 to 2022, focusing solely on deaths fully attributed to alcohol, including conditions like alcohol liver disease, which accounted for nearly 10,800 deaths in total.

Gender Disparities in Hospitalizations

The study revealed that hospitalizations linked to drinking rose three times more among females than males—15.6 percent for women versus 5.7 percent for men. Dr. Shi hypothesizes that higher stress levels, loneliness, increased exposure to intimate partner violence, and a greater likelihood of job loss among women could contribute to this disparity.

Age and Socioeconomic Factors

A 55 percent increase in mortality was observed among those aged 25 to 44 years, highlighting an already concerning issue that worsened during the pandemic. Interestingly, higher alcohol consumption was reported among the highest income group, although mortality rates for this group remained lower. Dr. Daniel Myran, Canada’s research chair at the University of Ottawa department of family medicine, notes that individuals in lower income groups tend to face greater harm and risk of chronic diseases.

“It’s remarkable that the richest 20 percent of neighbourhoods saw almost half the increase in mortality compared to the lowest income groups,” Myran stated. “Pandemic experiences differed significantly based on socioeconomic status.”

Regional Variations in Alcohol-Related Mortality

The research also uncovered regional differences, with the Prairies and British Columbia experiencing three times the alcohol-related deaths compared to Ontario and Atlantic provinces, and six to seven times those seen in Quebec.

Trends Post-Pandemic

The surge in deaths due to alcohol consumption decreased after 2022 as vaccines and COVID-19 treatments became widely available. However, Myran maintains that pre-pandemic alcohol use was already a significant cause of mortality in Canada, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions.

Political and Policy Challenges

The study highlights the difficulty of implementing effective alcohol control policies, as they are often not viewed as politically beneficial. On the contrary, expanding alcohol sales to convenience stores and offering tax breaks are more popular among politicians. Many provinces allowed alcohol deliveries during the pandemic, policies that persist today.

“There is a powerful alcohol lobby that meets regularly with policymakers, who are less interested in policies that reduce alcohol sales because they benefit financially,” Myran added.

Long-Term Impact of Pandemic Measures

Dr. Tim Naimi, director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria, is concerned about the rollback of alcohol policies implemented during the pandemic that have endured. For instance, making alcohol widely available through delivery apps is expected to have lasting negative impacts.

“Instead of enhancing alcohol policies during a particularly vulnerable period, it led to their erosion, which continues,” Naimi said. “I hope this study will prompt policymakers to reflect and take action.”

Photo: An emergency sign at a hospital in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Take Action to Address Alcohol-Related Health Issues

Addressing the rise in alcohol-related deaths and hospitalizations is an urgent call for public health authorities and policymakers. While the study provides crucial insights, the path forward requires collaboration and commitment to implement evidence-based strategies.

We encourage you to join the conversation:

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