Excessive Drinking Can Drive Up Insurance Premiums

10/6/2010

One way that people can avoid higher health insurance premiums later in life is to avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Many scientists have suggested that a glass or two of wine or another alcoholic beverage can be part of a good long-term health strategy. However, excessive drinking can contribute greatly to one's risk of heart disease, obesity and liver trouble, as well as many other conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 25 percent of young people in the 18 to 34 age demographic acknowledged that they had engaged in binge drinking during the past month. The report found that about 33 million adults binge drink in any given year, with that definition applying to five drinks in one night for men and four for women.

"Binge drinking increases many health risks, including fatal car crashes, contracting a sexually transmitted disease, dating violence, and drug overdoses," said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. "Excessive alcohol use remains the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States and leads to a wide range of health and social problems."

ShareThis