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Happy Friday, readers.
A new study published in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research raises significant questions about deaths related to excess drinking.
Here’s the long and short of it: “The number of alcohol‐related deaths per year among people aged 16 [and over] doubled from 35,914 to 72,558 [between 1999 and 2017], and the rate increased 50.9% from 16.9 to 25.5 per 100,000,” according to the researchers from the NIH’s institute that focuses on alcohol abuse.
There’s more—just two years ago, ” 2.6% of roughly 2.8 million deaths in the United States involved alcohol,” according to the study.
A lot of this is linked to liver disease and overdoses, the researchers say. And certain demographics are affected much more deeply than others, including men between the ages of 45 and 74 and Alaskan natives.
This is one of those fundamental problems of a lack of data and how certain health scourges may affect one group disproportionately over another. As the study authors themselves say, it’s something to keep a serious eye on.
Have a great weekend, and read on for the day’s news.
Sy Mukherjee
sayak.mukherjee@fortune.com
@the_sy_guy
DIGITAL HEALTH
Another study suggests AI could be useful in scanning medical images. A study published in the journal Lancet finds that artificial intelligence could be an overall benefit for sussing out disease in prostate cancer patients. We've been keeping a record of (and a critical eye towards) these studies—but the clear pattern to date seems to be that radiology is one of the more promising avenues for our robot overlords in medicine. (The Lancet)
INDICATIONS
The AbbVie Allergan deal is in its final stages. FiercePharma reports that AbbVie is on the verge of locking up its deal to buy Botox maker Allergan (at least when it comes to EU antitrust concerns). A few key assets may be on the chopping block—including the experimental risankizumab and the rare disease, cystic fibrosis treatment Zenpep. At this point, though, it seems like the deal is going to sail through. (FiercePharma)
THE BIG PICTURE
Vaping-related deaths rise to 57, and illnesses continue to spike. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Thursday that vaping-related illnesses had spiked to more than 2,600, including 57 deaths, with the "vitamin E acetate" compound as the "chemical" of concern among many of the cases. (Reuters)
REQUIRED READING
The Pros and Cons of Sharing Your Salary, by Kristen Bellstrom
Why CEOs are Pessimistic About 2020 Business Outlook, by Susie Gharib
Facebook's Political Ad Policy Puts the Burden on Users, Not Candidates, by Alyssa Newcomb
