HHS HealthBeat (February 29, 2012)

On the binge

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Researchers say about 1 in 6 adults binge drinks. For a man, this means five or more drinks in a session; for a woman, four or more. If you think that’s a lot for one time, the scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would agree.

The CDC’s Dafna Kanny says binge drinking is dangerous but has not gotten its full recognition as a health and social problem:

“There are short and long-term effects of binge drinking, such as motor vehicle crashes, risky sexual behaviors, and interpersonal violence. Over time, binge drinking increases the risk of other serious health problems, including cancers, heart disease and liver failure.” (18 seconds)

A report on binge drinking is in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: February 29, 2012