SANTA FE, N.M. — Alcohol-related deaths in New Mexico declined by 23 percent between 2021 and 2024, according to data released Tuesday by the New Mexico Department of Health.
The figures were announced as the state marks Alcohol Awareness Month in April. Health officials say the decrease reflects ongoing efforts to track alcohol-related harm and expand prevention strategies across the state.
The department notes that alcohol use is linked to several serious health conditions. Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen and is associated with cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, colon and rectum, liver, and breast. Excessive alcohol use has also been linked to heart disease, stroke, digestive issues, and mental health concerns.
Recent research has prompted renewed focus on alcohol consumption, with studies indicating that even moderate drinking may increase the risk of alcohol-related health effects compared to not drinking at all.
State health officials say they continue to monitor trends in alcohol-related illness and deaths to help guide future public health planning and prevention efforts throughout New Mexico.
