Alcohol Consumption Per Capita and Suicide: A Meta-Analysis
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open (Guo et al., 2025) examined the connection between alcohol consumption at the population level and suicide rates. The researchers reviewed data from 13 international studies to see whether increases in per capita alcohol use were linked to changes in suicide mortality. They found that for every one-liter increase in average alcohol consumption per person, suicide rates rose by about 3.6%. Importantly, the relationship was consistent for both men and women, suggesting that alcohol consumption affects suicide risk broadly across populations. The study design focuses on population-level data rather than individual cases—highlights alcohol as an important factor in suicide prevention. By showing that higher levels of drinking in a society are associated with higher suicide rates, this research suggests that public health strategies aimed at reducing alcohol consumption, such as education, policy, or community interventions, may also help lower suicide risk. The authors note some limitations, including differences between countries, most studies were in higher income nations, and the possibility of unmeasured factors like mental health conditions or economic stress, The study reinforces the importance of reducing alcohol for better physical health, mental health and suicide prevention.
Citation for paper: Guo K, Jiang H, Shield KD, Spithoff S, Lange S. Alcohol Consumption Per Capita and Suicide: A Meta-Analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(9):e2533129. Doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33129