MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Policy Forum found that alcohol related deaths in our state are much higher than the national average.

Alcohol related deaths spiked during the pandemic. During we saw alcohol consumption increase at the time. The CDC says as of 2024, the national average is 13.9 per 100,000 residents and the state average is at 18.2. Despite remaining higher than the national average there has been a steady decline post the pandemic.

"Something has happened here over the last 10 to 15 years, where our state's rate has risen significantly above the national rate," said Mark Sommerhauser, a Policy Researcher for the Wisconsin Policy Forum. "We don't profess to, you know, have all the answers to why that is. But just the fact that that divergence has happened between our state

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