Top headlines
Lead story
If you’re attending Fourth of July festivities in the coming days, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter alcohol. A spread of burgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn on the cob and watermelon will also likely include some combination of beer, wine and spritzers. One might say that celebrating with alcohol is as American as apple pie.
The fact that alcohol is ubiquitous and widely accepted in American society – as well as in many cultures across the world – sends the message that if everyone is drinking, it must be safe, explains Emma Fenske, a physician who works in addiction medicine.
But a vast and growing body of research shows that alcohol carries
significant risks, even when used moderately.
Fenske points to cigarette smoking and its sharp decline over the past few decades as an example of what can happen when public health campaigns, advertising restrictions and stringent policies change public perception about health risks.
People often assume that if a substance is legal, it must also be safe, Fenske writes. “But public health history suggests those assumptions can and should change.”
Also: Thank you very much to everyone who supported us and helped us reach our goal for our summer fundraising
campaign!
[ Miss us on Sundays? Get a selection of our best and most popular stories (or try our other weekly emails). ]
