Gallup reported on August 13, 2025, that alcohol consumption among United States adults has declined to its lowest point in three decades, with only 54% indicating they drink alcoholic beverages. The July survey revealed that 53% of respondents now believe moderate drinking is detrimental to health, a sharp rise from 28% in 2015. This shift in perception has been most pronounced among younger adults, two-thirds of whom regard even limited consumption as harmful. Older adults are also increasingly acknowledging the risks, with about half now sharing this view compared to only 20% a decade ago. Experts attribute the change to growing public awareness of alcohol’s association with cancer and other adverse health effects, challenging the long-standing notion that moderate drinking benefits heart health. Several countries have already revised their consumption guidelines, and the United States is expected to follow suit later this year under the direction of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health professionals noted that the evolving consensus stems from more rigorous research debunking earlier, flawed studies that suggested health advantages. Gallup’s data indicated that even regular drinkers are consuming less, with only one-quarter reporting alcohol use within the previous 24 hours—a record low. Approximately 40% stated it had been more than a week since their last drink. Analysts observed that concerns about well-being may not always lead to complete abstinence but appear to influence drinking frequency. The phenomenon is especially evident among younger demographics, whose consumption has been declining for years, reversing past trends where they were the most frequent drinkers. The anticipated federal guidelines, coupled with heightened public health messaging, could further curtail national alcohol intake, reinforcing a cultural and behavioral realignment toward reduced consumption.