Data and Statistics on Alcohol and Pregnancy

US data

Alcohol use among pregnant women in the United States

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A CDC infographic states: “Alcohol use during pregnancy continues to be a serious public health concern in the U.S.” It summarizes survey findings for U.S. pregnant women ages 18–49 during 2021–2024. More than 1 in 7, or 15.2%, reported current alcohol use, defined as one or more alcoholic drinks in the past 30 days. Nearly 1 in 20, or 4.9%, reported binge drinking, defined as four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion in the past 30 days. One in 50, or 2.2%, reported heavy drinking, defined as eight or more alcoholic drinks in one week in the past 30 days.

A callout box on the right says there is no known safe amount, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol use during pregnancy. It also notes that clinical and community-level strategies can help reduce alcohol use during pregnancy and associated adverse outcomes. The graphic includes stylized bar icons to represent each statistic and an illustration of a pregnant person.

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• During 2021-2024, among U.S. pregnant women, 15.2% (more than 1 in 7) reported current alcohol consumption,A 4.9% (nearly 1 in 20) reported binge drinking,B and 2.2% (1 in 50) reported heavy drinkingC in the past 30 days.1
• Pregnant women who experienced frequent mental distress (14 or more days of poor mental health in the past 30 days) and women living in certain regions of the country were more likely to report alcohol use.1
  

Data sources

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

This telephone survey tracks national and state-specific health risk behaviors of adults, aged 18 years and older, in the United States. The BRFSS is administered and supported by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC.

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)

This survey provides information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use and abuse in the general U.S. population, 12 years and older. It is conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

The NHIS is a multi-purpose nationwide household health survey of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized populated conducted annually by the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, to produce national estimates for a variety of health indicators.

Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI)

This software, supported by CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, generates estimates of alcohol-related deaths and Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) due to alcohol consumption.