https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/03/08/these-americas-drunkest-states/406342002/
10. Michigan
Adults drinking excessively: 20.0%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 29.4% (16th lowest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 16.8% (20th highest)
Drunkest metro area: Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Some 20% of adults drink to excess in Michigan, more than the comparable national share of 18%. Typically, states with higher rates of adults who binge or heavily drink are wealthier and are more likely to report better health outcomes. Michigan is an exception with a below average median household income and worse health outcomes than most states.
9. Nebraska
Adults drinking excessively: 20.4%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 35.6% (9th highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 13.4% (10th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Lincoln, NE
More than 1 in 5 adults living in Nebraska drink excessively, more than the comparable national share of 18%. Drinking large quantities of alcohol overtime can negatively impact both mental and physical health, leading to anything from anxiety and depression to high blood pressure and liver disease.
Despite the high excessive drinking rate among adults in Nebraska, only 13.4% of adults feel as though they are in poor health, one of the lowest shares among any state and well below the national average of 15%. The premature death rate is also quite low in Nebraska. For every 100,000 residents, only 306 die before the age of 75, among one of the lowest shares in any state.
8. Hawaii
Adults drinking excessively: 20.5%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 38.0% (5th highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 13.1% (7th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI
Some 20.5% of the adult population in Hawaii drinks to excess, well above the comparable national share of 18.0%. Not surprisingly, the state reports one of the highest rates of driving deaths in which alcohol is a factor, at 38% of all fatalities, the fifth highest share in the country.
Wealthier states are more likely to have higher drinking rates and report better health outcomes. In Hawaii, where the median household income of $74,511 a year is nearly $17,000 greater than the national income of $57,617, adults report better health outcomes than almost any other state. For example, only 13.1% of adults report they are in fair or poor health, the seventh lowest share of any state. Also, Hawaii’s obesity rate of 22.3% is well below the national rate of 28% and is the second lowest of any state.
7. Iowa
Adults drinking excessively: 21.0%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 25.4% (7th lowest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 12.3% (4th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Iowa City, IA
Some 21% of adults in Iowa drink excessively, the seventh highest share among all states and more than the national excessive drinking rate of 18%. Frequently drinking to excess can be very detrimental to health, leading to a variety of health issues such as hypertension and digestive complications. Despite the higher drinking rate in Iowa, only 12.3% of adults report poor health outcomes, the fourth lowest share of any state.
6. Minnesota
Adults drinking excessively: 21.1%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 30.9% (21st lowest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 11.9% (3rd lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Mankato-North Mankato, MN
In Minnesota, 21.1% of adults report binge or heavy drinking, one of the highest excessive drinking rates of any state and well above the national share of 18%. Excessive drinking rates tend to be higher among wealthier populations, and Minnesota has a larger median household income than most states at $65,599 per year, which is well above the national income of $57,617.
Despite being home to a large adult population who drinks to excess on a regular basis, Minnesota adults appear to be quite healthy. Minnesota has the lowest premature death rate of any state at 262 deaths before age 75 per every 100,000 residents.
More: Quality of life: 25 healthiest communities for retirement
5. Illinois
Adults drinking excessively: 21.2%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 34.2% (15th highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 15.6% (25th highest)
Drunkest metro area: Bloomington, IL
In Illinois, 21.2% of adults drink to excess, exceeding the national average of 18%. Binge drinking and heavy drinking can lead to various chronic health issues such as heart and liver disease. Still, Illinois adults manage to be in relatively good health, with below average obesity, smoking, and premature death rates.
4. Montana
Adults drinking excessively: 21.8%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 46.3% (2nd highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 14.2% (16th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Missoula, MT
States with higher excessive drinking rates are more prone to driving deaths that involve alcohol. With 21.8% of adults in Montana binge drinking or drinking heavily, the fourth highest share of any state, alcohol is a very common factor in roadway fatalities. Of all roadway fatalities in the state, 46.3% are attributable to alcohol consumption, the second highest share among all states.
3. Alaska
Adults drinking excessively: 22.1%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 33.8% (16th highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 13.7% (12th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Fairbanks, AK
Some 22.1% of adults in Alaska report drinking excessively, the third highest share of all states and well above the comparable national share of 18%. States with higher excessive drinking rates tend to be wealthier, partially because alcohol can be expensive to buy regularly. In Alaska, the median household income of $76,440 a year is the second largest of any state, greatly exceeds the national income of $57,617.
2. Wisconsin
Adults drinking excessively: 24.5%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 36.9% (8th highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 14.0% (13th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Green Bay, WI
Some 24.5% of adults in Wisconsin report binge or heavy drinking — the second largest share of any state and well above the comparable national share of 18%. Drinking alcohol regularly over long periods of time can lead to many serious ailments later in life such as liver cancer and even dementia. Despite high rates of excessive drinking, Wisconsin has a relatively low premature death rate. For every 100,000 residents, about 300 will die before the age of 75, less deaths than in most other states.
1. North Dakota
Adults drinking excessively: 24.7%
Alcohol-related driving deaths: 46.7% (the highest)
Adults in fair or poor health: 13.4% (9th lowest)
Drunkest metro area: Fargo, ND-MN
The state with the highest share of adults drinking excessively is North Dakota, with nearly 25% of adults reporting binge drinking or drinking heavily. Not surprisingly, the state with the highest drinking rate also has the highest rate of alcohol-related driving deaths. A total of 46.7% of all roadway fatalities are attributable to alcohol consumption, much higher than the national share of 30%.
Drinking excessively on a regular basis is not healthy. Still, 13.4% of adults report they are in fair or poor health, despite the state’s above average obesity and smoking rates.
To identify the drunkest states in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the percentage of men and women over 18 who report binge or heavy drinking in every state. Excessive alcohol consumption, according to the CDC, includes binge drinking and heavy drinking. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men, and heavy drinking is defined as at least eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men. For more on how this report was compiled, click here.
24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.
