New Study Reveals Alcohol Risks Ignored by US Guidelines

WHO:

CNN - President Joe Biden’s administration commissioned the study.

CNN - Robert Vincent, a former Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration alcohol policy official, led the study.

CNN - Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

CNN - Amanda Berger, senior vice president of science and research for the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States.

Harvard Gazette - Sinclair Carr, a doctoral candidate at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, is the first author of the study.

Harvard Gazette - Jürgen Rehm, senior author of the study from the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research.

WHAT:

CNN - A study found that health risks increase with just one drink a day, and no level of alcohol has a protective effect on mortality.

CNN - The study identified more than 200 diseases linked to alcohol consumption, including heart disease and cancer.

CNN - The study was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

CNN - The alcohol industry mobilized against the study, launching campaigns to discredit it.

Harvard Gazette - The review found that more than 60 diseases are 100% attributable to alcohol consumption.

Harvard Gazette - The study indicated that some damage from alcohol can be slowed or reversed by reducing or quitting drinking.

WHERE:

CNN - The study was commissioned by the U.S. government.

Harvard Gazette - The research was conducted at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

WHEN:

CNN - The study was released independently on a Tuesday.

CNN - The Trump administration decided not to feature the study's findings in new dietary guidelines earlier in the year.

CNN - The new dietary guidelines advised consuming “less alcohol for better overall health.”

WHY:

CNN - The study was sidelined due to pushback from the alcohol industry and a congressional committee.

CNN - Robert Vincent accused the Trump administration of sidelining the research due to conflicts with commercial interests.

HOW:

CNN - The study evolved from a draft version with additional authors, analysis, and policy recommendations.

Harvard Gazette - The study reviewed a range of studies on alcohol and challenged potential assumptions and biases.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:09 UTC)

A new study commissioned by President Biden's administration reveals that health risks increase with just one drink a day, finding no level of alcohol that offers a protective effect on mortality. Conducted at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and led by Robert Vincent, the research identifies over 200 diseases linked to alcohol consumption, including heart disease and cancer, while also noting that some damage can be slowed or reversed by reducing or quitting drinking. The alcohol industry has mobilized against the study, launching campaigns to discredit its findings, which were notably sidelined earlier this year when the Trump administration chose not to include them in new dietary guidelines advocating for less alcohol consumption for better overall health.