The Trump administration has discontinued a specialized office within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that focused on alcohol-related deaths and harms. This program, which worked on policies to mitigate excessive drinking and its associated issues, was the sole federal entity dedicated to preventing these problems. Its closure leaves states uncertain about future funding and support for their efforts to combat alcohol-related diseases and incidents.

For over two decades, the Alcohol Program played a critical role in aiding state health departments by providing grants and expertise. The program's budget of $6 million annually was primarily used to fund epidemiologists in nearly a dozen states who conducted research on excessive alcohol consumption and strategies to reduce related harms. Now, with the reduction-in-force at Health and Human Services, many states are left without the necessary resources to continue these vital initiatives.

In Idaho, where researchers utilized the funds to develop dashboards and websites tracking alcohol-related issues, the loss of this grant could lead to the termination of their entire program. Similarly, in North Carolina, where alcohol contributed significantly to deaths and emergency department visits, the CDC’s support funded an alcohol epidemiologist and research at the University of North Carolina's Injury Prevention Research Center. The discontinuation of the program raises concerns about how effectively chronic diseases and cancer linked to alcohol use can be addressed without this federal support.

Despite being part of a smaller operation compared to other divisions within the CDC, such as the Office on Smoking & Health, the Alcohol Program was a crucial tool established by Congress to tackle one of the leading causes of illness and death. Unlike NIH-funded studies that focus on laboratory research, the CDC team concentrated on prevention strategies aimed at reducing population-level harm from excessive drinking.

Experts emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive public health approach to prevent excessive alcohol consumption before it leads to disorders. According to Timothy Naimi, co-founder of the CDC alcohol program, identifying individuals already suffering from alcohol use disorders is too late. Excessive alcohol use contributes to approximately 178,000 deaths annually in the U.S., along with various chronic diseases and cancers. The statistics highlighting these impacts were developed by the CDC alcohol team.

At the state level, the absence of CDC resources may hinder health departments' ability to address high-risk drinking effectively. Many states receiving CDC funding remain unclear about their future financial support, impacting their capacity to study local effects and implement preventive measures. Without these grants, health departments might lack the necessary expertise to tackle what is often a significant contributor to poor health outcomes.

Bob Brewer, another co-founder of the program, highlights the non-trivial nature of this issue. He questions how the current administration plans to reduce chronic diseases without addressing excessive drinking. Collaborative efforts between the CDC and states have led to valuable tools like national kits measuring alcohol outlet density, assisting local officials in identifying problem areas.

In Nebraska, public health advocates depend heavily on CDC research to understand alcohol-related harms and implement evidence-based tactics. Other states, such as New Mexico, face severe challenges requiring sustained efforts from CDC-funded experts. As public health advocates continue to push for laws increasing alcohol prices or limiting sales hours, the absence of state epidemiologists and researchers diminishes the potential impact of such policies.

Despite the significant toll alcohol takes, it remains politically unpopular due to strong industry lobbying. This tension extends to federal levels, affecting reports on drinking health effects meant to guide dietary guidelines. David Jernigan underscores the historical neglect of alcohol issues, lamenting that they continue to be overlooked.

This decision by the administration poses long-term consequences for public health initiatives across the country. States will need innovative approaches to fill the gap left by the discontinuation of the CDC Alcohol Program, ensuring continued progress in combating alcohol-related harms and promoting healthier communities.