| Abstract: | Apparent per-capita alcohol consumption in 2001 in four US regions (West, Northeast, South, and Midwest), and in 50 states was examined in relation to mortality rates (1999–2004) from liver cirrhosis and for the subcategory alcoholic liver disease. Alcohol consumption and mortality rates were highest in the west. The alcoholic liver disease mortality rate by state was strongly correlated with alcohol consumption, but several outlier or mismatch states were identified. Per-capita alcohol consumption should be useful for US public health policy, as suggested for Europe and Canada, but outlier states require further study. |
