Prevention Priorities - Alcohol

Overview

Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug. Ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is an intoxicating ingredient found in beer, wine, and liquor. Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking, heavy drinking (defined as  is defined as consuming 8 or more drinks per week for woman and 15 or more drinks per week for men), any alcohol use by people under the age 21 minimum drinking age and any alcohol use by pregnant women.

Data

• One in five Iowa 11th graders drank alcohol in the past month (Iowa Youth Survey, 2018).
• Iowa’s rate of adult binge drinking significantly exceeds the U.S. average, 21.6% versus 16.8% (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2019).
• Alcohol-related mortality in Iowa remains high at 662 deaths in 2019 (Iowa Public Health Tracking Portal, 2019).

Campaigns

Talk. They Hear You

Think Before You Drink

What Do You Throw Away

Resources

Alcohol and Older Adults

Alcohol and Public Health

Excessive Drinking Prevention Resources

Underage Drinking Prevention Resources

Who can I contact for more information?

Julie Hibben at 515-326-5703