A recent survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) at the University of Pennsylvania reveals a significant increase in public awareness about the connection between alcohol consumption and cancer risk. According to the survey, 56% of Americans now recognize that regular alcohol consumption raises the likelihood of developing cancer, marking a notable rise from 40% in September 2024.
The survey, which was conducted from January 30 to February 10, 2025, with over 1,700 U.S. adults, shows a shift in public perceptions: the number of people who believe alcohol has no effect on cancer risk dropped to 16% from 20%, while those uncertain about the link decreased to 26% from 40%. This change follows increased public attention on the issue, especially after U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy’s January 2025 advisory that warned about alcohol’s connection to at least seven types of cancer, including breast, colon, and liver cancers.
Surgeon General’s Advisory Sparks Public Attention
The U.S. Surgeon General’s warning, issued on January 3, 2025, called for updated labels on alcoholic beverages to warn consumers about cancer risks. The advisory, which gained widespread media coverage, was the most prominent of several recent reports addressing alcohol’s impact on health. In the survey, nearly 48% of respondents said they had encountered one or more health-related reports on alcohol, with 46% of those recognizing the Surgeon General’s advisory as the source of information.
While other reports, such as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) December 2024 review of alcohol’s effects, also noted the risks of moderate drinking, including breast cancer, they did not achieve the same level of public recognition. The NASEM report presented both positive and negative findings on alcohol’s health effects, including its impact on mortality, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
Shifting Perceptions and Behavioral Impact
The survey also delved into how these reports influenced public behavior. Of those who had heard of one or more reports, 29% said they would be less likely to accept an alcoholic drink in a social setting due to the new information. However, 61% reported that the reports had no impact on their decision to drink, and only 9% indicated they would be more likely to accept a drink.
Among those who said they would be more inclined to accept a drink, 73% also indicated they would be more likely to have a second drink. Conversely, 22% stated they would be less likely to accept additional drinks after hearing the reports.
Survey Methodology
The data for this survey comes from the 23rd wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge Survey, which was conducted by SSRS, an independent market research firm. The survey included a nationally representative sample of 1,716 U.S. adults, and the margin of error is ±3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
This growing awareness reflects a broader shift in public understanding of alcohol’s health risks, especially its connection to cancer, in light of recent health advisories and media coverage.
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