ALCOHOL-RELATED MORTALITY IN THE UNITED-STATES-AIR-FORCE, 1990

Alcohol-related morbidity and mortality represent a major public healt h problem in the United States, particularly among young men. Standard ized comparisons of alcohol use have demonstrated that members of the military consume more alcohol than matched civilians. To quantify the impact of alcohol use by active duty members of the Air Force for cale ndar year 1990, we reviewed 283 death certificates and analyzed the ca use of death using the Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) computer program. Injuries accounted for 73% of all deaths among active duty Ai r Force personnel, with motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) accounting for 31% of total mortality. Sixty-six deaths (23%) were attributable to al cohol-related causes and accounted for 2,300 years of potential life l ost before 65 years of age. Analysis of blood alcohol levels taken fro m a subset of active duty deaths resulting from MVAs and suicides yiel ded alcohol-attributable fractions similar to those obtained by the AR DI method. Periodic assessment and dissemination of alcohol-related mo rtality statistics in the military using the ARDI methodology represen t an important public health education tool.