Overview

• Scientists on the review panel say the Alcohol Intake and Health Study led by SAMHSA has been shelved after years of work, with initial reporting by Vox and confirmation to STAT.
• An HHS spokesperson said the study was sent to HHS and USDA for consideration but would not say whether it will be published or used in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• A draft concluded that even moderate drinking increased risks for injuries, liver disease, and cancer, with higher consumption linked to greater harm, according to a panelist.
• Reuters previously reported the new dietary guidelines will remove specific alcohol limits, and it remains unclear whether industry lobbying influenced the handling of the study.
• A separate National Academies review reported lower all-cause mortality with moderate drinking alongside higher breast cancer risk, underscoring ongoing scientific debate over alcohol guidance.