Carib Scope

分类： health

  • CEMDOE and INTEGRA host third International Health Quality and Safety Forum

    CEMDOE and INTEGRA host third International Health Quality and Safety Forum

    Leading Dominican healthcare and medical management organizations have convened hundreds of global and local stakeholders in Santo Domingo for the third edition of the International Health Quality and Safety Forum, an event focused on addressing systemic gaps in global and national healthcare while charting a path toward more patient-centered, safe, and innovative medical practice.

    The gathering was jointly organized by the Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Specialties (CEMDOE), a Dominican specialized medical institution, and INTEGRA, a regional healthcare asset management firm. The three-day event brought together senior government health officials, hospital and clinical system leaders, and top medical governance experts from across Latin America and North America to unpack pressing challenges and untapped opportunities for strengthening Dominican Republic’s national health ecosystem.

    Opening the forum, CEMDOE Director of Marketing and Communications Monika Harel underscored a core collective principle: advancing healthcare quality and patient safety cannot be the responsibility of a single institution, but requires sustained collaboration across every segment of the medical sector. Following her opening remarks, Dominican Republic Health Minister Víctor Atallah delivered a keynote address that reoriented the conversation around proactive patient safety. Atallah emphasized that building robust patient protection frameworks depends on intentional prevention and advance preparedness, rather than relying solely on reactive crisis response after adverse medical events occur.

    The forum featured a full slate of technical presentations and panel discussions led by internationally recognized health policy and quality improvement experts. Among the featured speakers were Dr. Ezequiel García-Elorrio from Argentina’s Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, and Paola Ortiz, Senior Director at the global Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Core discussion themes ranged from improving clinical outcomes and system-wide healthcare quality to strengthening institutional leadership and governance across public and private medical providers.

    One of the forum’s headline strategic panels, titled “Responsible Innovation: Building the Future of Clinical Research in the Dominican Republic,” explored the country’s growing potential to expand its domestic clinical research sector. Panelists, including senior representatives from global pharmaceutical leaders MSD, Roche, and Pfizer alongside CEMDOE leadership, delved into strategies to grow research capacity while upholding the strictest scientific, ethical, and patient safety standards.

    Beyond knowledge-sharing and policy dialogue, the event featured two major institutional announcements from CEMDOE: the official launch of the new RED CEMDOE clinical network, and plans for a new state-of-the-art outpatient care facility located on Santo Domingo’s John F. Kennedy Avenue. Scheduled to open its doors in November 2026, the new outpatient center is projected to dramatically expand CEMDOE’s annual patient reach, growing from the current 285,000 annual patients to more than 475,000 people across the Dominican Republic.

    Organizers noted that the annual forum has emerged as a key regional platform for cross-sector dialogue, with the third edition continuing CEMDOE and INTEGRA’s shared mission of fostering global knowledge exchange to support the development of safer, more innovative, and patient-focused healthcare institutions across the Dominican Republic.

  • Prime Minister Browne to Highlight Antigua and Barbuda’s Vision-Care Leadership at UNGA81 Development Forum

    Prime Minister Browne to Highlight Antigua and Barbuda’s Vision-Care Leadership at UNGA81 Development Forum

    NEW YORK, September 23, 2026 – As world leaders gather for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne is set to share the Caribbean nation’s groundbreaking experience in expanding national eye health services with a global audience on Wednesday. Browne will present the country’s successful model at a high-level special development forum convened on the margins of UNGA, focused on turning global recognition of vision care’s broad benefits into large-scale, actionable government programs.

    Organizers of the forum have singled out Antigua and Barbuda as a leading emerging example of sustained political commitment to expanding universal access to vision care. Unlike many nations that frame eye health as a narrow public health concern, the Caribbean country has positioned vision care as a core strategic investment in human capital, long-term productivity, and inclusive economic growth – a framework Browne will highlight during the panel discussion.

    In pre-event comments, Browne emphasized that the impacts of quality vision care stretch far beyond the health sector. “Good vision shapes a child’s ability to keep up in school, an adult’s capacity to contribute productively to the workforce, and a whole family’s ability to climb the economic ladder,” he explained. “That is why we view investments in eye health as direct investments in our people, and the foundation of our country’s long-term social and economic development.”

    The forum itself was created to elevate the issue of uncorrected near-vision impairment on the global development agenda, and to highlight the strong economic returns generated by low-cost, accessible interventions such as reading glasses. Official event briefings highlight a stark global gap: more than 826 million people around the world live with untreated near-vision impairment, a crisis that drags down worker productivity, reduces household income, and limits socio-economic mobility, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.

    During his address, Browne will outline three core priorities for the global community: why Antigua and Barbuda made eye health a top national policy priority, how political will can be translated into cross-government practical action, and what lessons the small island nation’s experience can offer other countries ahead of the upcoming Global Summit for Eye Health.

    “For governments, the real test is not just acknowledging a public health challenge – it is acting on the clear evidence we have,” Browne said. “When an affordable intervention can improve population health, boost national productivity, and raise quality of life for millions, we have a fundamental responsibility to build the necessary partnerships and delivery systems to make that care accessible to every person.”

    Joining Browne on the discussion panel is H.E. Keisha McGuire, Chief Global Affairs Officer of the non-profit organization RestoringVision. The conversation will center on the concept of “Visionomics” – the well-documented causal link between expanded access to quality vision care and measurable gains in workforce productivity, household livelihoods, and broadened economic opportunity.

    Organizers noted that Antigua and Barbuda’s model provides a critical case study for the international community: it demonstrates how intentional political leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and robust accountability mechanisms can turn research evidence into sustained, impactful government action. Browne confirmed that the Antigua and Barbuda government will continue expanding its cross-sector partnerships in eye health, and will actively share the lessons learned from its national program with other nations.

    “Our goals are simple: we aim to prevent avoidable vision loss, restore sight wherever possible, and ensure that a person’s financial situation never creates an unnecessary barrier to accessing essential eye care,” Browne said. “At the same time, we want to show the world that small states can develop innovative, scalable approaches to eye health that other countries can adapt and benefit from.”

    Right now, Antigua and Barbuda is actively scaling up its national vision care initiatives through global and local partnerships, expanding access to free community screenings, affordable corrective eyewear, specialized clinical treatment, and life-changing sight-restoring procedures. This UNGA presentation also serves a broader strategic purpose: building global momentum ahead of the Global Summit for Eye Health, pushing the international community to move beyond non-binding commitments and deliver measurable, on-the-ground implementation of vision care programs.

    Browne is leading Antigua and Barbuda’s official delegation to the 81st UNGA, which includes Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene, Health Minister Michael Joseph, and the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Walton Webson.

  • Ministry weighs private partnerships to expand dental care

    Ministry weighs private partnerships to expand dental care

    Barbados’ health sector is facing growing pressure to address two pressing challenges: the rising prevalence of unlicensed, unqualified dental practitioners advertising services on social media, and longstanding public demand for more accessible, affordable oral health care. In response, the Ministry of Health is actively exploring a range of solutions, including potential collaborations with private dental providers to scale up the country’s public dental offerings.

    The public warning about unregulated dental services was issued after the Barbados Dental Council and the Barbados Dental Association raised repeated red flags about unqualified operators marketing cheap treatments to unsuspecting patients. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Arthur Phillips shared details of the concerns with local outlet Barbados TODAY, explaining that regulatory bodies have detected consistent patterns of unauthorized advertising and received multiple tip-offs about illegal practice. “They’ve been seeing some patterns, they’ve been seeing advertisements, and they’ve been receiving information that indicated that care was being offered by persons who were not qualified. They expressed concern, and then they followed up later to indicate that they were again seeing additional advertisements for services,” Phillips said.

    Currently, Barbados’ public oral health system centers primarily on school-based services for children, which focus on dental health education and preventive care. As public calls for more affordable adult dental treatment grow louder, the ministry has laid out plans to gradually expand and strengthen its public service portfolio across the country.

    “We’re looking at all the options in terms of partnering with the private sector, in terms of increasing our cadres of staff and widening our offerings,” Phillips noted. The expansion of oral health services is tied to a broader national infrastructure initiative that includes upgrading all public polyclinics and reconstructing two facilities through funding from a Saudi development program.

    The ministry also confirmed that it faces a staffing gap in its existing school dental program, and increasing the number of public oral health workers is a key priority to meet current service mandates.

    On the regulatory side, Phillips clarified that the Dental Council holds legal authority to investigate unlicensed practice and take enforcement action, working in partnership with local law enforcement. Beyond regulating registered, qualified dentists, the council’s core mandate is to protect public safety, shielding patients from harm caused by unqualified practitioners and even negligent behavior by licensed providers.

    In its official public advisory, the Ministry of Health emphasized that all dental treatment should only be delivered by professionals who hold valid qualifications, active registration, and an official license to practice in Barbados. It has urged the public to complete a full verification of a dental provider’s credentials and registration status before booking any procedure or making any advance payment for services.

  • Dialysis patients now face surgery delays after GB surgeon’s departure

    Dialysis patients now face surgery delays after GB surgeon’s departure

    A growing healthcare crisis is unfolding in Grand Bahama, where dozens of vulnerable dialysis patients are trapped in a dangerous backlog for life-sustaining access surgery, after the departure of the island’s only local physician trained to perform the procedure left the public healthcare system without critical capacity.

  • Health and Business

    Health and Business

    The idea of structuring healthcare systems along the lines of a traditional business has long been a source of fierce debate. For many, the very phrase brings to mind a common, unsatisfying experience: patients rushed through abbreviated consultations, leaving with little improvement to their health, thinner wallets, and no sense of being cared for. This frustrating scenario is a lived reality for countless people, and it is often incorrectly framed as a natural consequence of applying business efficiency to healthcare. But this misunderstanding overlooks the true role that thoughtful business practices can play in improving care delivery.

    Healthcare is an inherently complex sector, made up of dozens of interconnected moving parts that keep the system functioning. From strategic planning and equipment procurement to supply chain management, workforce training, quality assurance, and continuous performance monitoring, every core operational task that powers a functional business is also central to running a successful healthcare system. The key difference, however, is that healthcare does not involve trading ordinary consumer goods — it delivers the most precious service any person can access: care for their well-being and dignity.

    In standard profit-driven business models, customer value is often sidelined to prioritize shareholder returns. By contrast, effective healthcare must center patient needs first, while delivering aligned value to every group with a stake in system outcomes. Defining value itself is complex, and perspectives shift depending on which stakeholder one asks, but measuring outcomes offers a clear, accountable framework for assessing performance.

    For patients, the core desired outcomes are straightforward: improved health and care that honors their dignity. For medical practitioners, value translates to career satisfaction, equitable compensation, and a safe, supportive work environment. For governments, success means strong overall health system performance and a sustainable, justifiable public budget. For taxpayers — a role every stakeholder will fill at some point — value comes from efficient resource use, responsible management, and public trust in the system.

    In theory, none of these outcomes are fundamentally incompatible with one another. In practice, however, they often come into competition. Patients want high-quality care and unhurried time with providers, while taxpayers demand careful stewardship of limited public resources. Clinicians want fair pay, while system administrators need to keep payroll costs within budget. Patients may want unlimited access to the latest medications, but governments must prioritize treatments that fit within public budget constraints.

    These competing priorities do not have to create a zero-sum game, however. When structured well, good governance creates a ripple effect of positive outcomes across the entire system. If governments set clear strategic direction, allocate budgets responsibly, and invest in system capacity, mid-level managers gain the flexibility and resources they need to lead effectively. When management teams are fully staffed, well-trained, and equipped with the tools to succeed, frontline clinical staff face less avoidable burnout and strain. When the workforce is treated humanely and given the resources to do their jobs well, patients directly receive higher quality care. When supply chains are properly maintained and continuously refined, drug and equipment shortages no longer dictate what life-saving care is possible to deliver.

    When every level of the system adheres to proven management best practices, competing stakeholder values begin to converge. Full reconciliation is impossible: resources will always be finite, and some level of tension between different outcome priorities is unavoidable in any system. But the widespread frustration felt by patients, providers, and taxpayers alike is not the result of this unavoidable residual tension. Most of the current conflict is manufactured, born from the gap between what the system could deliver if all its parts worked in synergy, and what it actually delivers when those parts are misaligned. While effective management is simple to advocate for and far harder to implement, its importance cannot be overstated. The pervasive competition between stakeholder values that shapes daily experiences in healthcare is not an inevitable cost of resource scarcity — it is a consequence of poor alignment and inadequate management.

    This is where well-refined, continuous improvement-focused business practices earn their place in healthcare. They are not tools to extract profit from patient care; instead, they act as a framework to bring coherence to competing expectations, while advancing the positive outcomes all stakeholders want. Strategic planning aligns system capacity with patient need. Smart procurement balances cost control with consistent care quality. Robust supply chain management ensures the right treatments are available when they are needed. Rigorous quality assurance makes sure the care delivered matches the care that was promised. Targeted workforce development matches staff skills and needs to the demands of the job.

    When these practices are absent or poorly implemented, the system does not stay neutral — it drifts toward waste, misalignment, and ultimately, the harmful outcomes that make so many people wary of business-informed healthcare. When management fails, all stakeholders lose.

    The core takeaway from this analysis is that the ongoing debate is asking the wrong question. It is not a matter of whether healthcare should or should not be run like a business. Instead, the critical question policymakers and system leaders must answer is: how can we leverage proven business practices to help healthcare deliver more of the collective outcomes that all stakeholders need and deserve?

  • Minister Joseph Advances Plan for National Eye Hospital at UN General Assembly

    Minister Joseph Advances Plan for National Eye Hospital at UN General Assembly

    NEW YORK, September 22 — In his debut appearance at the United Nations General Assembly, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Health and the Environment, the Honorable Michael Joseph, has hit the ground running with a packed schedule of high-stakes diplomatic and collaborative engagements. As the UNGA’s high-level week kicked off in Manhattan, Joseph prioritized advancing a transformative agenda for regional eye health during side meetings organized alongside the global gathering of world leaders.

  • Marigot Hospital to temporarily suspend services for maintenance

    Marigot Hospital to temporarily suspend services for maintenance

    In a public advisory issued this week, the Dominica Hospitals Authority has declared that all medical services at Marigot Hospital will be temporarily paused on September 22 and 23, 2026. The two-day shutdown is not a response to an unexpected emergency or public health crisis, but rather a pre-planned measure designed to accommodate critical maintenance work across the facility.

    To avoid gaps in access to urgent and routine care for local populations, the authority has directed residents of Marigot and its neighboring communities to redirect all requests for emergency assistance and non-emergency medical attention to the Nurse Doris Musgrave Health and Wellness Centre for the duration of the closure. This alternative care arrangement was put in place well in advance to balance the need for infrastructure upgrades with the non-negotiable requirement of keeping health services accessible to all community members.

    Hospital officials emphasized that the temporary service suspension is a necessary step to complete the planned improvements without putting patients or maintenance crews at risk, noting that the alternate care hub is fully prepared to absorb the increased patient volume over the two-day period. In closing, the Dominica Hospitals Authority issued a formal apology for any disruption or inconvenience that the temporary closure may cause for area residents, and expressed sincere gratitude in advance for the public’s patience and cooperation as the work is carried out. The authority wrapped up its statement by reaffirming its long-standing institutional commitment to delivering high-quality patient care, echoing its core mission: “Your health, our priority.”

  • Vogelgriep bevestigd op pluimveebedrijf, LVV scherpt aanpak aan

    Vogelgriep bevestigd op pluimveebedrijf, LVV scherpt aanpak aan

    A case of avian influenza has been officially confirmed at a poultry operation in Suriname, according to an announcement from the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV). As of 22 September, officials are still awaiting further testing to identify the specific viral strain and determine whether it is a low-pathogenicity or high-pathogenicity variant of the disease.

    To complete the necessary detailed analysis, collected samples will be shipped to international laboratories for testing. The distinction between strain types is a critical priority for public and animal health authorities: high-pathogenic avian influenza is known to cause mass mortality in poultry flocks, posing a far greater threat to the local industry. The LVV has committed to sharing all test results promptly with the Association of Poultry Sector Suriname (APSS) once they are finalized.

    During a coordinating meeting held Monday between LVV officials and APSS leadership, two key agreements were reached to strengthen the response. First, all poultry operations across the country will be required to upgrade existing biosecurity protocols to reduce the risk of viral spread. Second, direct communication channels between the ministry and independent poultry farmers will be expanded to enable faster reporting of potential cases. Farmers have been explicitly ordered to immediately report any unusual symptoms, abnormal flock behavior, or unexpected spikes in poultry mortality, so that response teams can intervene at the earliest possible stage.

    Guilliano Jodhabier, chair of the APSS, has pledged the industry body’s full cooperation to the national response effort. He has issued a direct appeal to poultry farmers across Suriname, urging them not to conceal suspicious symptoms out of concern for potential regulatory or operational impacts. “Do not be afraid if you see something wrong in your coops. Report it, come forward immediately,” Jodhabier stated in his address to producers.
    Suriname’s LVV Minister Mike Noersalim emphasized that coordinated cross-sector collaboration is the only way to stop the virus from spreading further beyond the initial affected farm. The response effort is being run as an interdepartmental initiative, with multiple national and international stakeholders joining the LVV in the work. These partners include the Ministry of Public Health, the National Coordination Center for Disaster Management (NCCR), the Bureau for Public Health (BOG), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
    Minister Noersalim also acknowledged that preventive measures to stop a large-scale outbreak can place significant burdens on poultry producers. If culling of affected or exposed flocks becomes necessary, he noted, the impact extends far beyond major financial losses for business owners – the process can also take a heavy emotional toll on farmers and workers who have cared for the animals. In recognition of this hardship, the LVV has already begun conducting assessments to map the full extent of economic damage for the affected farm. Officials will use these assessments to design targeted support packages for impacted producers, though full details of the support framework have not yet been released to the public.
    Despite the confirmed avian influenza case, the Surinamese government remains committed to its long-term goal of expanding domestic poultry production. Current data shows that only around 35 percent of the country’s domestic demand for chicken is met by local production, with the remaining 65 percent sourced from international imports.
    The BOG has issued public guidance for people working in the poultry sector, stressing that all protective protocols must be strictly followed. This includes requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment when interacting with potentially infected birds, and maintaining rigorous hand hygiene standards at all times. For the general public, officials have stressed there is no reason for panic around chicken consumption: properly cooked chicken that has been sufficiently heated poses no risk of avian influenza transmission to humans.

  • ‘Yuh Good’ – seven polyclinics now offer adolescent healthcare

    ‘Yuh Good’ – seven polyclinics now offer adolescent healthcare

    Barbados is taking a major step forward in prioritizing adolescent health, officially rolling out the comprehensive Yuh Good programme and its dedicated official website yuhgood.gov.bb from Monday, expanding specialized youth health services to seven of the island nation’s nine public polyclinics.

    The initiative, designed to serve young people between the ages of 10 and 19, addresses a full spectrum of health needs that are often overlooked in general care settings. Services range from treatment for physical injuries, infectious and chronic non-communicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health care to specialized support for mental health challenges, self-harm risk, and substance use disorders.

    Speaking at the official launch event held at the Frederick Miller Polyclinic in St George’s The Glebe, Minister of Health Davidson Ishmael framed the rollout as a critical milestone for the country’s public health system, marking years of coordinated planning and investment in youth wellbeing. The programme traces its origins to 2025, when Barbados’ Cabinet approved and allocated full funding for the two-year Barbados Adolescent Health Action Plan 2025–2026. This initial framework aligns with the broader 10-year Barbados National Adolescent Strategic Plan, developed in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to systematically address the unmet health needs of the country’s youth population.

    To ensure consistent, high-quality care across all sites, a multidisciplinary national adolescent health working group was convened to develop official care standards for service delivery. “These standards provided the framework for the implementation of the adolescent health clinics at our polyclinics,” Ishmael explained. Specialized adolescent health services were first piloted at three polyclinics – Eunice Gibson, Randall Phillips, and Winston Scott – in 2025. Early data from the pilot phase shows that 111 adolescents accessed care during the initial rollout, 67 percent of whom were between 15 and 19 years old. Of those patients, 60 were referred for additional specialized care: 32 referrals (53 percent) were to general medical practitioners, while 14 (23 percent) were directed to specialized mental health support.

    Building on the pilot’s success, the 2026 expansion adds four more clinics – St Philip, Maurice Byer, David Thompson, and Frederick Miller – bringing the total number of polyclinics offering the specialized services to seven. The programme is organized around six core strategic priorities: positive youth development; prevention and care for violence, accidents and injuries; sexual and reproductive health including HIV services; communicable disease management; non-communicable disease care; and mental health, self-harm intervention, and substance use support.

    The Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence plays a key supporting role, providing specialized training for clinical staff in paediatric and adolescent-focused care. In addition, medical specialists across obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, and paediatrics have completed targeted subspecialty training to meet the unique needs of adolescent patients.

    Chief Nursing Officer Annastasia Jordan emphasized that the Yuh Good programme is more than a clinical initiative – it is a national call to action to center youth voice and wellbeing. “Our vision is that every young person in Barbados will feel confident asking for help when they need it, supported by a strong, skilled nursing workforce and the partnerships that sustain it,” Jordan said. “The Yuh Good Barbados Adolescent Programme is a national commitment to adolescent health, bringing families, communities, advocates and health professionals together. Within the wider effort, nurses will continue through nurse-led initiatives, ensuring people have safe spaces, stress test guidance and professional support.”

    Jordan also highlighted a complementary in-school initiative, the Teen Wellness Connect programme, which is delivered through the Ministry of Health’s mobile clinic. “This special clinic offers nutritional counselling, mental health support, healthy lifestyle guidance and coping skills with peer support in settings that are familiar, private and youth-friendly,” she explained. “It removed barriers between care providers and teams, making access to information and guidance on health normal and easy. This initiative, this innovative model of care, allows for the establishment of trust between nurses and adolescents.” The programme is now in its second year and currently operates at two secondary schools across the island.

    Minister Ishmael added that community-focused components of the Yuh Good framework also include a school-based suicide prevention programme, alongside Teen Wellness Connect. Both programmes were first piloted in 2025 with fourth- and fifth-form students at Barbados’ two single-sex public secondary schools: Springer Memorial Girls’ School and St Leonard’s Boys’ School. To expand access outside of polyclinic settings, the programme has partnered with local stakeholders including the Barbados Family Planning Association (BFPA) to develop dedicated adolescent health hubs. The first such hub opened on June 1 this year at the Derek Smith School in collaboration with the Eunice Gibson Polyclinic. Programme teams have also led outreach and education sessions at the 2026 National Sports Council camps to reach more young people across the country.

    Looking ahead, the national adolescent health working group is partnering with Mission Barbados and the Ministry of Education Transformation, working through student council networks, to scale Teen Wellness Connect and suicide prevention programming to more secondary schools over the next two to three years. For young people and families seeking information online, the full range of programme resources are now available via the newly launched official website at yuhgood.gov.bb.

  • Alcohol Use Declines for First Time Since COVID-19 as Younger Adults Cut Back

    Alcohol Use Declines for First Time Since COVID-19 as Younger Adults Cut Back

    After years of elevated alcohol intake tied to the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, national alcohol consumption in the United States has dropped for the first time since the public health crisis began – a shift driven largely by Gen Z and millennial adults, a new CNN analysis reveals.

    The reversal of pandemic-era drinking trends follows a period of sharp growth in alcohol use between 2020 and 2023, when stay-at-home orders, social isolation, and upended daily routines pushed many groups to increase their consumption to cope with stress and uncertainty. But health experts tracking population behavior now confirm that this unexpected growth has begun to unwind, with the most dramatic changes appearing among younger adult age cohorts.

    This downward trajectory aligns with a long-building cultural shift in how Americans view alcohol consumption, particularly among younger generations. Unlike their older counterparts, a growing share of Gen Z and millennial adults openly prioritize long-term physical and mental wellness, and they increasingly recognize alcohol’s negative impacts on both areas of health. This awareness has translated to widespread action: more young people are choosing to cut back on drinking or eliminate it from their lives entirely.

    Long-running polling data supports this stark generational divide in attitudes and behavior. A 2024 Gallup survey found that 65% of U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 34 believe alcohol harms overall health, compared to only 34% of adults 35 and older. The same poll also confirmed that younger adults are reporting the fastest rate of decline in regular alcohol consumption across all age groups.

    As of 2025, CNN’s analysis puts the share of American adults who report drinking any alcohol at just 54% – a notable drop from pre- and post-pandemic levels. Even attitudes toward moderate, casual drinking have grown increasingly negative across the broader population, as wellness concerns spread beyond younger age groups.

    The declining consumption trend has run parallel to the booming popularity of alcohol-free beverages, the rise of the “sober curious” movement that encourages intentional evaluation of drinking habits, and growing demand for social events that do not center alcohol consumption. From non-alcoholic craft beers to alcohol-free wine and spirit alternatives, the market for sober-friendly products has expanded exponentially to meet this shifting demand.

    Experts note that the latest data confirms what public health researchers have hypothesized for years: the small, consistent behavioral changes adopted by younger generations are now rippling outward to create a nationwide shift in alcohol consumption patterns, pulling overall national usage down after years of pandemic-fueled growth.