Latest news with #PeterMartin
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Alcohol use has increased among women — and so have cases of liver disease
Alcohol-related liver disease has more than doubled in the U.S. over the last 20 years. The increase is tied to four groups that make up a greater share of heavy drinkers than they did two decades ago: Women, adults ages 45 and older, people living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a number of conditions, including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Exactly why these groups are drinking more remains unclear. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Dr. Peter Martin previously told NBC News that 'it's become more and more socially acceptable for women to drink as much as men' and George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, told The New York Times that he believed older Americans are even less 'likely' to understand the hazards of alcohol. 'Alcohol-related liver disease is the main cause of liver-related death and these results are a major wakeup call to the dangers of drinking,' researcher Dr. Brian Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, said in a statement after the new study published Wednesday. The findings, Lee said, provide the first comprehensive look at the demographics of heavy drinking and their relation to liver disease since the 1990s. Because the average drinking rate in the U.S. was unchanged over the last 20 years - outside of the pandemic - it suggested factors such as changing health and demographics may be playing a role. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of adults and children in the U.S. from 1999 through 2020. They tracked the total increase in significant liver disease, a point when scar tissue impairs the organ's function, often caused by heavy drinking. More than 51,600 adults died from liver disease in 2020 in the U.S. The researchers looked at the demographic and health profiles of adults, age 20 or older, who drank heavily - eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous research had tied the four groups looked at in this study to a higher risk of liver disease when exposed to alcohol. A separate 2024 study, authored by Lee, found that heavy drinking rose at the pandemic's peak and continued for two years after that. Lee hypothesized that increase may have been due to stress. Liver disease deaths have also roughly doubled over the last 20 years, and the number of annual alcohol deaths due to cancer has doubled in the same time period. Lee believes the results will help to provide doctors with necessary updates to better treat patients and potentially result in more screenings and interventions for Americans in high-risk populations. 'Our results show that the makeup of the American public with heavy alcohol consumption has changed compared to 20 years ago,' he said.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Alcohol-related liver disease in the US has more than doubled in the last 20 years - and its down to four groups
Alcohol-related liver disease has more than doubled in the U.S. over the last 20 years. The increase is tied to four groups that make up a greater share of heavy drinkers than they did two decades ago: Women, adults ages 45 and older, people living in poverty, and those with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome refers to a number of conditions, including high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Exactly why these groups are drinking more remains unclear. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Dr. Peter Martin previously told NBC News that 'it's become more and more socially acceptable for women to drink as much as men' and George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, told The New York Times that he believed older Americans are even less 'likely' to understand the hazards of alcohol. 'Alcohol-related liver disease is the main cause of liver-related death and these results are a major wakeup call to the dangers of drinking,' researcher Dr. Brian Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, said in a statement after the new study published Wednesday. The findings, Lee said, provide the first comprehensive look at the demographics of heavy drinking and their relation to liver disease since the 1990s. Because the average drinking rate in the U.S. was unchanged over the last 20 years - outside of the pandemic - it suggested factors such as changing health and demographics may be playing a role. The researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of adults and children in the U.S. from 1999 through 2020. They tracked the total increase in significant liver disease, a point when scar tissue impairs the organ's function, often caused by heavy drinking. More than 51,600 adults died from liver disease in 2020 in the U.S. The researchers looked at the demographic and health profiles of adults, age 20 or older, who drank heavily - eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Previous research had tied the four groups looked at in this study to a higher risk of liver disease when exposed to alcohol. A separate 2024 study, authored by Lee, found that heavy drinking rose at the pandemic's peak and continued for two years after that. Lee hypothesized that increase may have been due to stress. Liver disease deaths have also roughly doubled over the last 20 years, and the number of annual alcohol deaths due to cancer has doubled in the same time period. Lee believes the results will help to provide doctors with necessary updates to better treat patients and potentially result in more screenings and interventions for Americans in high-risk populations. 'Our results show that the makeup of the American public with heavy alcohol consumption has changed compared to 20 years ago,' he said.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
A grave discovery leads to a family reunion
Winnipeg Watch Peter Martin and Will Gault reveal how a veteran's unmarked grave helped reconnect long-lost relatives.
CTV News
23-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘You have to honour those that went before you': Manitoba veterans help identify previously unnamed solders
A temporary cross was made to mark the unmarked grave for Canadian veteran William Howard Chester at the Field of Honour inside Transcona Cemetery. Here it can be seen on Monday June 23, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) One Manitoba veteran's unwavering efforts have uncovered the identities of two previously unnamed soldiers buried in Transcona Cemetery. Two years ago, Peter Martin—a local veteran who brings students to the annual No Stone Left Alone ceremony at the Field of Honour—was asked by one of the kids why two graves had no names. 'I was in tears and devastated,' Martin said. 'For over 20 years I've been bringing students here—they haven't honoured those two because nobody knew their names.' William Cabot Lodge cross A temporary cross was also made to mark the unmarked grave of Canadian veteran William Cabot Lodge. Here it is on Monday June 23, 2025. (Joseph Bernacki/CTV News Winnipeg) It's unclear why the graves were left unmarked, but Martin didn't need a reason to take on the mission of identifying the fallen. He took it to heart and, after months of research and phone calls, discovered the names: William Cabot Lodge and William Howard Chester. Lodge died in 2005; Chester passed away 23 years ago. Martin then reached out to fellow veteran Joe Sapischuk, who built temporary crosses for both Lodge and Chester. 'We had to right a wrong that's been here for 20 years,' Sapischuk said. 'You have to honour those that went before you.' For Julius Chester, great-grandson of William Chester, Martin's efforts opened a new chapter in his family's story. 'It's been profound in a way,' he said. 'When they hear things like this, it really does gladden their hearts—and I know that's the case for me personally as well.' Transcona Cemetery Field of Honour A look at the 'Lest We Forget' monument inside the Transcona Cemetery on Monday June 23, 2025. (Harrison Shin/CTV News Winnipeg) The Last Post Fund, a national organization that helps military families connect with unmarked graves, is working to provide permanent markers for Lodge and Chester. Matt Halpin, president of the Manitoba branch of the Last Post Fund, said the organization has helped establish about 8,000 headstones for unmarked military graves so far. - With files from CTV's Joseph Bernacki
Irish Post
22-05-2025
- Irish Post
Shock in Co. Down after body found on beach
THERE is shock in a Northern Irish village after a body was found on a local beach. PSNI officers were called to reports of a body on Millisle Beach in Co. Down yesterday afternoon. The body was discovered on Millisle Beach in Co. Down Reports claim a local dog walker spotted the body and alerted the authorities. Local UUP Councillor Pete Wray, who represents Ards and North Down, confirmed the finding in a statement on social media. 'Sadly, I can confirm that a body has been found on Millisle Beach,' he said. 'Initial reports indicate the body has been brought in from the sea.' He added: 'PSNI remain at the scene, and I would ask everyone to give them the time and space to conduct their investigation. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the family who will be impacted by this and the individual who found the body.' DUP MLA Peter Martin has also paid tribute following the shocking discovery. 'A police investigation is underway in Millisle following the discovery of a body on the beach,' he said in a statement. 'My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the individual at this difficult time.' He added: 'Emergency services are on the scene and a cordon is in place to allow a full investigation to take place. 'I would urge folks to avoid the Donaghadee Road area at present. 'We do not know further details at this time and speculation would not be helpful to potentially bereaved friends or family members.' In a statement, the PSNI confirmed an investigation is now underway. 'The body found on the beach in the Donaghadee Road area of Millisle on Wednesday, May 21 has been removed from the scene,' they said. "A postmortem examination and formal identification will be carried out. 'Will update in due course." See More: Body, Down, Millisle Beach, PSNI
