The share of Americans who drink alcohol has fallen to its lowest level in nearly nine decades, according to a new Gallup poll.
Alcohol consumption among U.S. adults has fallen to its lowest recorded level in nearly 90 years, with 54 percent saying they drink, down from 58 percent a year ago, according to Gallup’s latest annual survey.Why It Matters
Gallup has tracked alcohol consumption among U.S. adults since 1939. The latest figure falls below the previous record low of 55 percent in 1958.
The poll also found that a majority of Americans, 53 percent, believe that moderate drinking is bad for one’s health. Alcohol can lead to many health problems, including liver diseases and increased risk of some cancers.What To Know
The latest Gallup survey, conducted July 7-21, found that a smaller share of Americans are drinking alcohol than at any point in the poll’s history. In the mid-1970s, the share peaked at 71 percent for three consecutive years starting in 1976.
Since then, drinking rates have generally trended downward, averaging about 60 percent, with periodic rises and dips.
