Vodka and Russian Male Life Expectancy

February 2, 2014

Comments

Via the the BBC, some pretty stunning numbers: Vodka blamed for high death rates in Russia:

The high number of early deaths in Russia is mainly due to people drinking too much alcohol, particularly vodka, research suggests.

The study, in The Lancet, says 25% of Russian men die before they are 55, and most of the deaths are down to alcohol. The comparable UK figure is 7%.

Causes of death include liver disease and alcohol poisoning. Many also die in accidents or after getting into fights.

In chart form:

Chart showing the high risk of death among Russian men

8 responses to “Vodka and Russian Male Life Expectancy”

Dave Schuler

February 2, 2014 at 3:43 pm

Another chapter in “Annals of the Unexpected”. It’s sad but hardly a surprise.
Doug Mataconis

February 2, 2014 at 4:56 pm

If I lived in Russia, I’d drink too
bill

February 2, 2014 at 5:47 pm

so the ussr fell apart 6 years after they restricted alcohol, coincidence? time for a vodka tonic anyway.
John Peabody

February 2, 2014 at 8:26 pm

They should only allow bottles 1 pint or less. That’s sure to stop the problem!
al-Ameda

February 3, 2014 at 10:30 am

Vodka really is a rot-gut “beverage” – just nasty.
john personna

February 3, 2014 at 7:10 pm

@John Peabody:

I assume that people think that’s funny, and those are the up-votes?

Actually, this would strike me as a sad example of human irrationality, and yes, things like a pint-ban would have to reduce the mortality.

But ha, ha, who cares.
john personna

February 3, 2014 at 7:14 pm

Related:

That research suggested that a 10% increase in the average minimum price for all alcohol beverages in British Columbia might be associated with as much as a 30% drop in deaths wholly attributed to alcohol such as alcohol psychoses, alcoholic cardiomyopathy and alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Franklin

February 4, 2014 at 5:04 pm

@john personna: I think it can both be funny and true.