Reuters reported Sept. 23 that the CDC estimated that 34,833 Americans died in 2001 from alcohol-related diseases like cirrhosis of the liver and cancer, while an additional 40,933 died in alcohol-related car crashes and other accidents. Of those who died from alcohol-related causes, 72 percent were men, and people under age 21 accounted for 6 percent of deaths.

Men averaging more than two alcoholic drinks daily or consuming four of more drinks per occasion were considered heavy drinkers by the researchers; for women, the standard was averaging three drinks per sitting or a drink a day or more.

"These results emphasize the importance of adopting effective strategies to reduce excessive drinking, including increasing alcohol excise taxes and screening for alcohol misuse in clinical settings," the study said.

Editor's note: There are proven public policies that, if implemented, would reduce these harms from excessive alcohol. See Ten Policies That Would Save Lives for more.

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