Alcohol consumption and disability-free life expectancy in the United States

Aims Alcohol consumption has been identified as a significant risk factor for health and mortality. However, it remains unclear how many years are lived by individuals with various drinking groups and how many of these years are disability-free. The study aims to examine the association between alcohol consumption and total life expectancy (TLE) and disability-free life expectancy (DFLE). Methods Incidence-based multistate life tables (MSLTs) were used to estimate TLE and DFLE by gender and alcohol consumption for individuals aged 50 years and over from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, 1998–2018). Results Our results indicate a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and TLE and DFLE, and gender differences are observed. The quantity of drinks consumed per occasion is more influential than the frequency of drinking days regarding health and mortality. Binge drinking is associated with reduced TLE and DFLE, especially for women. Conclusions The study provides additional evidence for consideration in gender-differentiated guidelines. Policies discouraging binge drinking and promoting responsible consumption are crucial. The observed gender differences necessitate tailored approaches and interventions addressing the challenges faced by women regarding alcohol consumption.