April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to highlight the health impacts of alcohol use, particularly among women, pregnant people, and girls. According to the CDC, around 14% of pregnant adults in the U.S. reported current drinking, and 5% reported binge drinking in the past month. These rates have increased since the previous reporting period, continuing an upward trend observed since 2011. Despite clear warnings from health authorities that there is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, these statistics suggest a need for continued public education and prevention efforts.

The infographic also emphasizes the broader health risks associated with alcohol for women. From 2018 to 2020, alcohol-related deaths among women in the U.S. rose by nearly 15% per year. More than 43,000 female deaths are attributed to excessive alcohol use annually, placing alcohol among the leading preventable causes of death. This growing toll calls for targeted interventions and public health messaging that speak to women’s specific risks.

Alarmingly, alcohol use begins early for many girls. In Delaware, 15% of high school females reported having their first drink before age 13, and 6% of middle school girls before age 11. Research shows that those who begin drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence later in life. While overall alcohol consumption among Delaware high school girls has decreased since 2011, early initiation and binge drinking remain critical concerns that require a comprehensive and sustained response.

Find more from Center for Drug and Health Studies at the University of Delaware (USA, 2024)