Trade Associations
Here's a look at documents from national and international trade associations
Featured Stories
Winchester, NWTF and Richard Childress Racing Bring Conservation to the Track at Darlington
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, March 21 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
* * *
Winchester, NWTF and Richard Childress Racing Bring Conservation to the Track at Darlington
Conservation is taking center stage at one of NASCAR's most iconic venues as Winchester, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Bass Pro Shops debut a special-edition No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at the Goodyear 400 in Darlington, South Carolina.
"Partnerships like this allow us to connect people to conservation in a meaningful way," NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. "Having
... Show Full Article
EDGEFIELD, South Carolina, March 21 -- The National Wild Turkey Federation issued the following news release:
* * *
Winchester, NWTF and Richard Childress Racing Bring Conservation to the Track at Darlington
Conservation is taking center stage at one of NASCAR's most iconic venues as Winchester, the National Wild Turkey Federation and Bass Pro Shops debut a special-edition No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at the Goodyear 400 in Darlington, South Carolina.
"Partnerships like this allow us to connect people to conservation in a meaningful way," NWTF co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. "Havingthe NWTF represented on the No. 3 car puts our mission in front of millions of NASCAR fans, including right here in our home state of South Carolina, and introduces new audiences to the impact of conservation and the importance of protecting our hunting heritage. We are incredibly thankful to Winchester Ammunition and Richard Childress Racing for this opportunity."
The inclusion of the NWTF in this campaign comes at no cost to the organization, providing valuable national exposure that expands the NWTF's reach to new audiences, thanks to Winchester's dedicated support.
The bold paint scheme, made possible through Winchester and Richard Childress Racing, prominently features the NWTF alongside Bass Pro Shops and Winchester Long Beard(R) XR(R), highlighting a shared commitment to conservation, wildlife habitat and America's hunting heritage. The initiative serves as a high-visibility platform to raise awareness among NASCAR's diverse and passionate fan base about the importance of conservation and the role hunters and partners play in sustaining wildlife populations.
Winchester has stood alongside the NWTF since its founding in 1973, serving as the organization's first million-dollar sponsor and contributing more than $2 million to support conservation delivery. This long-standing partnership has helped conserve millions of acres of habitat and advance science-based wildlife management across the country.
The Winchester Long Beard(R) XR(R) shotshell, featured on the car, has become a trusted name among turkey hunters nationwide. Known for its dense patterns and knockdown power, Long Beard(R) XR(R) has also proven its performance at the NWTF World Still Target Championship, where it has helped set records and redefine expectations for turkey load performance.
The timing of the race aligns with the spring turkey season across much of the country, when wild turkeys are top of mind for outdoor enthusiasts. By bringing this message to the track, partners are connecting the excitement of racing with the traditions and conservation efforts that sustain the outdoors.
Fans can catch the No. 3 "Committed to Conservation" Chevrolet at the Goodyear 400 on FS1, with coverage also available via the Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
* * *
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 25 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. Since 2022, the NWTF has also invested over $2.3 million in critical wild turkey research that, when leveraged with partner contributions, has resulted in more than $22 million to guide the management of the wild turkey and to ensure sustainable populations. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale to deliver healthy forests and wildlife habitats, clean and abundant water, resilient communities and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues to unite a nation through the life-changing power of the outdoors.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.nwtf.org/content-hub/winchester-nwtf-and-richard-childress-racing-bring-conservation-to-the-track-at-darlington
[Category: Animals]
TAB Calls on Congress to End Shutdown, Fund U.S. Department of Homeland Security
AUSTIN, Texas, March 21 -- The Texas Association of Business issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
* * *
TAB Calls on Congress to End Shutdown, Fund U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Today, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) issued the following statement urging Congress to end the current federal shutdown and fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
"Congress must act immediately to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and bring an end to the current shutdown.
"As a border state, Texas faces an outsized burden from any disruption to DHS operations.
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, March 21 -- The Texas Association of Business issued the following news release on March 19, 2026:
* * *
TAB Calls on Congress to End Shutdown, Fund U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Today, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) issued the following statement urging Congress to end the current federal shutdown and fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
"Congress must act immediately to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and bring an end to the current shutdown.
"As a border state, Texas faces an outsized burden from any disruption to DHS operations.The agencies housed within DHS, including TSA, FEMA, and CISA, are the frontline personnel keeping Texans safe every single day.
"The human and economic cost of this shutdown is real and growing every day. Over 100,000 DHS employees have now missed their first full paycheck. TSA employees alone have been forced to work without pay three times in the last six months. The shutdown is also straining America's major airlines, many of which are based in Texas, and preventing people and goods from moving efficiently and safely.
"This year, the eyes of the world will be on our state and our nation as we welcome the FIFA World Cup. Hosting a global event of this magnitude demands a fully operational DHS capable of coordinating security across venues, airports, and borders. A prolonged shutdown undermines years of preparation to ensure Texas' major cities are ready to welcome visitors and economic activity from across the world in a safe and orderly manner.
"Concessions have been made. Negotiations have taken place. Right now, there is no justification for continued inaction.
"TAB calls on every member of the Texas Congressional delegation to do their duty, fund DHS, and end this shutdown immediately. The safety of Texans and the strength of our economy depends on their leadership at this critical time."
* * *
Original text here: https://www.txbiz.org/2026/03/19/tab-calls-on-congress-to-end-shutdown-fund-u-s-department-of-homeland-security/
[Category: Business]
Post-Acute & Long-Term Care Medical Association: OIG Flags Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Homes
COLUMBIA, Maryland, March 21 (TNSrpt) -- Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OIG Flags Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Homes
A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that some nursing homes inappropriately administered antipsychotic drugs to residents with dementia, exposing them to serious health risks. Based on 40 focused inspections conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the report found that facilities used these drugs to manage behavior rather
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, Maryland, March 21 (TNSrpt) -- Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OIG Flags Inappropriate Antipsychotic Use in Nursing Homes
A new report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that some nursing homes inappropriately administered antipsychotic drugs to residents with dementia, exposing them to serious health risks. Based on 40 focused inspections conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the report found that facilities used these drugs to manage behavior ratherthan for medically appropriate reasons, despite FDA warnings that antipsychotics increase the risk of death for elderly patients with dementia.
OIG also found that nursing homes often failed to follow required safeguards when residents were prescribed antipsychotics, including attempts to reduce dosages and monitor adverse effects. The report found that medical directors and nursing home pharmacists frequently did not take steps to prevent or address inappropriate use, and weak facility policies further undermined protections for residents.
In response, OIG recommended that CMS:
1. Further develop resources for nursing homes and increase transparency in order to reduce inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs and improve dementia care in nursing homes.
2. Take steps to ensure that nursing home medical directors fulfill their role in reducing the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs.
3. Take steps to ensure that nursing home pharmacists fulfill their role in reducing the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs.
4. Assist nursing homes in improving their policies and procedures pertaining to antipsychotic drug use.
CMS did not explicitly concur or nonconcur with OIG's first and fourth recommendations. CMS nonconcurred with the second and third recommendations. OIG added clarification to these recommendations based on CMS's comments to the draft and encouraged CMS to re-examine its position on concurrence in its Final Management Decision.
PALTmed has been actively engaged on this issue for some time, including many conversations with CMS. PALTmed has previously stated that, "While there is a national need for better and more approved treatments for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in dementia, clinicians need to be mindful of and avoid labeling patients with other diagnoses to justify the use of medications or other treatments." In addition, PALTmed has guidance to support understanding of CMS requirements related to antipsychotic medication prescribing in nursing homes.
* * *
REPORT: https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/evaluation/11547/OEI-02-23-00200.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://paltmed.org/news-media/oig-flags-inappropriate-antipsychotic-use-nursing-homes
[Category: Medical]
OSMA Weighs In During Additional Legislative Hearings This Week
DUBLIN, Ohio, March 21 -- The Ohio State Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OSMA Weighs In During Additional Legislative Hearings This Week
In addition to House Bill 220 and House Bill 579, OSMA is tracking numerous other issues that had committee hearings this week:
House Bill 682
Physician-Administered Drugs/ "White-Bagging"
OSMA submitted written proponent testimony for the second hearing of HB 682 in the House Insurance Committee this week. HB 682 is sponsored by Rep. Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Rep. Gayle Manning (R-Avon). OSMA expressed support for this legislation
... Show Full Article
DUBLIN, Ohio, March 21 -- The Ohio State Medical Association issued the following news:
* * *
OSMA Weighs In During Additional Legislative Hearings This Week
In addition to House Bill 220 and House Bill 579, OSMA is tracking numerous other issues that had committee hearings this week:
House Bill 682
Physician-Administered Drugs/ "White-Bagging"
OSMA submitted written proponent testimony for the second hearing of HB 682 in the House Insurance Committee this week. HB 682 is sponsored by Rep. Meredith Craig (R-Smithville) and Rep. Gayle Manning (R-Avon). OSMA expressed support for this legislationprotecting patients from suffering potential treatment delays and quality risks that can result from the complex and flawed "white-bagging" policy requirements imposed by insurers.
"White-bagging" occurs when insurers require that specialty drugs be shipped directly to a health care provider from a designated specialty pharmacy, instead of allowing the provider to use drugs they have readily available in their own in-house pharmacies. It often takes place when the drug needed for a patient must be administered by a provider at a facility. For example, injectable medications or infusions, such as some treatments that may be used in oncology. Physicians treating these patients need the ability to deliver this care to patients quickly and efficiently in order to meet each patient's unique needs. HB 682 is designed to better ensure safety for patients while promoting better health outcomes and saving patients from higher cost-sharing responsibilities that often come from insurer mandates.
House Bill 537
Midwives
HB 537, which seeks to regulate and license certified midwives and licensed midwives in Ohio, had its second hearing (proponent testimony) in the House Children and Human Services Committee on Wednesday. OSMA has been working on this issue for months with the sponsors, Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland), and other interested parties. We continue to express concerns regarding provisions of this legislation related to the scope of practice, eligibility criteria, and license requirements for midwives under the bill. The next step in the process for HB 537 will be an opponent testimony hearing, during which OSMA will have the opportunity to present these concerns to committee members.
House Bill 561
Childhood Vaccinations
OSMA has joined the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a coalition of other healthcare organizations in opposition to HB 561, legislation which would weaken public health protections which help prevent infectious disease outbreaks. Specifically, this legislation, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-New Waterford), would remove the hepatitis B vaccine from childcare requirements, limit the ability of schools and childcare centers to manage outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and undermine accurate vaccination reporting. HB 561 had its second hearing (proponent testimony) in the House Health Committee on Wednesday. In response, OSMA, Ohio AAP, and the rest of the coalition are sending a letter to the committee members detailing our serious concerns with this legislation.
* * *
Please stay tuned for more timely OSMA updates as committee hearings and legislative sessions continue!
* * *
Original text here: https://osma.org/aws/OSMA/pt/sd/news_article/615697/_PARENT/layout_details-news/false
[Category: Medical]
IGFA's Online Angling Education Resources: Educating and Inspiring Anglers Around the World
DANIA BEACH, Florida, March 21 -- The International Game Fish Association issued the following news:
* * *
The IGFA's Online Angling Education Resources: Educating and Inspiring Anglers Around the World
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has long been a global leader in promoting ethical angling practices, game fish conservation, and angler education. The majority of our angling education efforts have focused on in-person instruction with hands-on activities on or near the water. And yes, these are ideal conditions for getting a new angler engaged in the sport, creating lifelong
... Show Full Article
DANIA BEACH, Florida, March 21 -- The International Game Fish Association issued the following news:
* * *
The IGFA's Online Angling Education Resources: Educating and Inspiring Anglers Around the World
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has long been a global leader in promoting ethical angling practices, game fish conservation, and angler education. The majority of our angling education efforts have focused on in-person instruction with hands-on activities on or near the water. And yes, these are ideal conditions for getting a new angler engaged in the sport, creating lifelongbonds. However, with online resources becoming more easily accessible around the world, the IGFA Education team began working on an educational resource to teach people how to fish online while building confidence in their skills by more than 30% and inspiring them to go out and try it for themselves with 47% of students reported they go fishing at least once a month since completing the course! "Great class to not only educate but also empower," said Cliff C. from Florida, USA, who signed up and completed this resource.
The resource in reference is the IGFA's Intro to Fishing course, one of our most accessible resources thus far, designed to introduce young and novice anglers to the fundamentals of recreational fishing. Built in 2018 and released the following year for the IGFA's 80th anniversary, the Intro to Fishing course has persisted teaching just shy of 1,500 students from 53 countries!
Packed with educational presentations, how-to videos, and interactive quizzes, the course allows anglers to follow along at their own pace. Now in its seventh year of existence, it was time to update the course content and overall appearance to remain consistent with the IGFA brand, and it was time to translate it into Spanish!
Updates to the IGFA Intro to Fishing Course
The Intro to Fishing course is a structured teaching course in an online setting, free for anyone to access. The goal behind this online resource was to provide students with a strong foundation of angling knowledge in a comfortable, virtual setting that would give them the confidence to get out and go fishing in a responsible and ethical way.
Initially built for youth, families, and beginner anglers, the program attracted most students from a moderate background with some knowledge of fishing. Overall, 14% of students who completed the course were beginner anglers, indicating they had never caught a fish. "It helps give basic knowledge to new [anglers] who are looking to pursue it for a new hobby," describes Kaenon M. from Hawaii, USA, who was an IGFA Junior Angler (age 11-16 years) at the time he completed the course.
The course covers various aspects of fishing, including:
* The Fish: Understanding what a fish is and how to identify various game fish
* The Habitat: Knowing where fish live and different aquatic environments
* The Basics: Learning various fishing techniques from basic tackle to casting methods
* The Ethical Angler: Emphasizing responsible fishing practices, catch-and-release techniques, and habitat protection
* The IGFA: Introducing students to the IGFA and the great work we do across the organization
The appearance and accessibility features of course content have been significantly improved, making it a more enjoyable and immersive experience. Crucial content from educational partners like Keep Fish Wet was added, including a comprehensive video of "Best Practices for Catch-and-Release", content aligning with the IGFA's mission to promote responsible, ethical angling practices.
Introduccion a la Pesca - Translating the Course to Spanish
Even though the IGFA's Intro to Fishing course has reached students in 53 countries, only 1% of students who have completed the course are from countries in the South America Council and the Central American & Caribbean Council, where many Spanish-speaking countries are located. Because of this, and because of the plethora of opportunities to expand our reach to many Spanish-speaking communities in other regions, the IGFA decided it was time to translate the course into Spanish. With the IGFA part-time Angling Educator, Cristian Gomez, taking the lead in translating the course content and with the assistance of IGFA Trustee Nassim Joaquin and IGFA Representative Julio Castaneda in ensuring content translations are accurate, the IGFA was able to create Introduccion a la Pesca. Thank you to Cristian, Nassim, and Julio for their dedication over the past year in making this possible. We are excited to see the expanded reach of this resource and the feedback that follows, again with the ultimate goal of inspiring them to get outside and try recreational fishing for themselves.
Impacting Anglers of All Ages
With quarterly raffle drawings from our Corporate Partners, including Bass Pro Shops, Zebco, Nomad, and Savage Gear, as incentives to complete the course, completion rates are up 48% in one year! The latest winner of the quarterly incentive project was Luca H., an 11-16 year-old angler from Washington, USA, who completed the course in 2023 and whose mother wrote this testament when he received the rod and reel and lures:
"Luca is very excited, you should have seen him doing cartwheels when he found out. Your course was a requirement from a friend of ours before he even considered taking Luca on his boat. My friend Chris has very high standards - a testament that you are providing high-quality content, which is rare these days. Luca has been catching a lot of fish since then. Thank you so much for the education you provide-so important for our youth-we are grateful!
We later learned a little more about the story between Captain Chris and Luca as they ventured out onto the water once Luca completed the course in 2023.
"One sunny morning, my son decided he was ready to catch something legendary. Our friend with the boat, Captain Chris, smiled, but gave one condition: first, my son had to pass the IGFA fishing course. Challenge accepted.
After learning every knot, fish fact, and rule of respect for the ocean, he earned his certificate and proudly held it high. The next dawn, Captain Chris took us out to sea. But hour after hour, the lines stayed still.
Captain Chris took off his hat, closed his eyes, and began the fisherman dance--a strange, graceful jig that made the waves shimmer as if the ocean recognized the steps. My son jumped in, mimicking the moves, laughing the whole time. Then, as if on cue, the rods bent fiercely. Fish struck in every direction!
The biggest salmon of the day nearly pulled my son overboard, but together they reeled it in, breathless and triumphant. Captain Chris winked. "Told you the sea loves a good dance."
Ever since, each fishing trip begins the same way--a quick little fisherman dance, a few whispered thanks to the sea, and the magic that always seems to follow."
Congratulations Luca! Continue learning every day and getting out there. We hope the rod, reel, and lures you won help you bend more rods and land more fish!
Expanding Access to Fishing Education
One international student suggested that we consider incorporating a hands-on training component for the Intro to Fishing course. This would allow participants in areas with access to seas, lakes, or rivers to gain practical experience under the guidance of a local club or organization, and that would greatly enhance the learning experience and provide invaluable practical knowledge. This is already underway through the combination of the Intro to Fishing course and the IGFA Passports to Fishing program. The IGFA has distributed more than 200 educational toolkits since its launch in 2019, the same year the Intro to Fishing course was released, to 50 countries and has become a major contributor to achieving our Education Initiatives and our latest milestone of teaching more than 250,000 youth to fish around the world.
Many recipients of these kits have utilized the Intro to Fishing course, simply as that, an introduction to fishing. They then utilize the Passports to Fishing toolkit to go beyond, incorporating practical hands-on activities into their virtual learning. Others go further, taking students to the water, either land-based or out on boats, like IGFA Representative Sally Kurz in California, USA, who works with Sycamore Junior High School (JHS) to teach the basics in the classroom and take them out on the water every year. "Thanks to all our efforts, we are making a difference teaching these young people to respect our ocean resources and enjoy fishing," exclaims Sally as she informed the IGFA Headquarters that Sycamore JHS already had 30 students enrolled in the program again for this school year, students who will greatly benefit from the translation of the course into Spanish.
More Resources on the Horizon
The IGFA continues to work on developing online resources and keeping them accessible to communities worldwide. With the recent onboarding of a new Online Education Specialist, Alexis D'Azevedo, within the IGFA Education team, we are working hard to complete resources that have been years in the making. The next resource expected to launch in April is an online training resource dedicated to Fishing National Public Lands, as the IGFA has traveled to various National Park Service sites across the country, hosting Learn-to-Fish events and filming various content for online needs under a grant provided by the National Park Foundation.
This resource will go into more detail about how to fish different bodies of water, how to remain safe out there while recreating outdoors, and will go more in-depth on various topics like natural and artificial baits, knot tying, and ethical angling practices. Beyond that, our plans extend to online resources focused on fly fishing education and advanced sportfishing topics appealing to anglers of all ages, interests, and experience levels. Whether it's filming macroinvertebrates with Roaring Fork Conservancy to learn about why we choose the flies targeting trout on fly or fishing various techniques on Lake Superior with IGFA Captain Jim Labeske, who proudly displays his certificate for completing the Intro to Fishing course back in 2020, targeting lake trout and walleye to offshore kite fishing for sailfish and dolphinfish capturing content for the IGFA's School of Sportfishing classes, the camera will always be on capturing these moments for us to educate other anglers who would like to pursue these adventures too.
Fishing is more than just a recreational hobby. It is a gateway to fun outdoor adventures, whether the fish are biting or not, causing you to dance a jig. It is a unique tool to take environmental education and aquatic biology from the classroom to the water. And it is a means of fostering a lifelong appreciation for the game fish we revere and the places they call home. Whether you are a parent looking to introduce your child to fishing or for a way to inspire them to get them back outside, a captain of a charter looking to advance your novice client's knowledge, an educator seeking engaging environmental curriculum, or an individual eager to learn more even if you've caught a fish before, the IGFA's Online Angling Education resources are the perfect tools to help educate and inspire you on your next adventure and please stay tuned as we work hard to build more.
* * *
Original text here: https://igfa.org/2026/03/20/the-igfas-online-angling-education-resources-educating-and-inspiring-anglers-around-the-world/
[Category: Environment]
BSA: National AI Legislative Framework Sets Path for Action by Congress
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Business Software Alliance issued the following statement on March 20, 2026:
* * *
BSA: National AI Legislative Framework Sets Path for Action by Congress
BSA CEO Victoria Espinel issued the following statement following the release of the National AI Legislative Framework:
"The Business Software Alliance welcomes President Trump's leadership in releasing the White House National AI Legislative Framework. The Framework helps catalyze a needed conversation in Washington, grounded in the reality that building trust in AI and enabling its broad adoption requires clear,
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The Business Software Alliance issued the following statement on March 20, 2026:
* * *
BSA: National AI Legislative Framework Sets Path for Action by Congress
BSA CEO Victoria Espinel issued the following statement following the release of the National AI Legislative Framework:
"The Business Software Alliance welcomes President Trump's leadership in releasing the White House National AI Legislative Framework. The Framework helps catalyze a needed conversation in Washington, grounded in the reality that building trust in AI and enabling its broad adoption requires clear,workable national rules for the United States.
BSA in particular welcomes the Framework's emphasis on several core areas of consensus, including combating fraud and abuse, developing an AI-ready workforce, ensuring that AI developers can fairly access training data, and -- importantly -- advancing AI adoption by addressing barriers to use and strengthening the testing and evaluation tools needed to build trust in AI systems.
Enacting a national AI law will be the responsibility of Congress, and BSA has urged lawmakers to pursue a "Preemption with Precision" approach as the best path to achieve a durable, bipartisan national law that still allows for appropriate state-level flexibility. We appreciate President Trump's work to set a strong foundation for action on national AI legislation, and we look forward to working with Republicans and Democrats in Congress as they consider the Administration's proposal."
* * *
ABOUT BSA
The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the global trade association of the enterprise software industry, representing companies that are leaders in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, quantum, and other breakthrough technologies. We work in over 20 markets in the US, Europe, and Asia, advocating for policies that build trust in technology so that every industry sector and the public can benefit from innovation.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.bsa.org/news-events/news/bsa-national-ai-legislative-framework-sets-path-for-action-by-congress
[Category: Business]
American College of Cardiology: Health Impacts of Alcohol Depend on What You Drink - And How Much
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The American College of Cardiology posted the following news release:
* * *
The Health Impacts of Alcohol Depend on What You Drink - And How Much
Low to moderate wine consumption shows lower risk compared with spirits, beer and cider
*
While high alcohol intake has been associated with worse health outcomes regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, the potential impacts of low to moderate alcohol intake appear to vary by beverage type, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
The study of more
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, March 21 -- The American College of Cardiology posted the following news release:
* * *
The Health Impacts of Alcohol Depend on What You Drink - And How Much
Low to moderate wine consumption shows lower risk compared with spirits, beer and cider
*
While high alcohol intake has been associated with worse health outcomes regardless of the type of alcohol consumed, the potential impacts of low to moderate alcohol intake appear to vary by beverage type, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).
The study of morethan 340,000 British adults adds to previous research showing less alcohol consumption is better for health and provides new insights into the impacts of drinking at low and moderate levels.
"These results come from the general population, and in certain high-risk groups, such as people with chronic diseases or cardiovascular conditions, the risks could be even higher," said Zhangling Chen, MD, PhD, a professor at the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in China and the study's senior author.
Researchers analyzed alcohol consumption habits and mortality outcomes among 340,924 adults who participated in the UK Biobank study between 2006-2022. Each participant completed a dietary questionnaire when they enrolled in the study and were grouped into four categories based on their alcohol intake, measured in terms of grams of pure alcohol per day and week. For reference, a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine and a 1.5-ounce shot of spirits each contain about 14 grams of pure alcohol. People consuming less than 20 g (about 1.5 standard drinks) per week were classified as never or occasional drinkers. Men consuming between 20 g per week and 20 g per day and women consuming between 20 g per week and 10 g per day were considered to have low alcohol consumption. Daily consumption of 20 g to 40 g (about 1.5 to three standard drinks) for men and 10 g to 20 g for women was considered moderate. Daily consumption of more than 40 g (about three drinks) for men and 20 g (about 1.5 drinks) for women was considered high. Health outcomes were tracked for over 13 years on average.
Compared with never or occasional drinkers, those with high alcohol consumption were 24% more likely to die from any cause, 36% more likely to die from cancer and 14% more likely to die from heart disease. Differences in risk by alcohol type emerged at low and moderate levels of consumption, where drinking spirits, beer or cider was associated with a significantly higher risk of death while the same level of wine consumption was associated with a significantly lower risk of death.
Looking at deaths from cardiovascular disease in particular, researchers found that moderate wine drinkers had a 21% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with never or occasional drinkers. By contrast, even low intake of spirits, beer or cider was associated with a 9% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with drinking never or occasionally.
"Our findings help clarify previously mixed evidence on low to moderate alcohol consumption," Chen said. "These findings can help refine guidance, emphasizing that the health risks of alcohol depend not only on the amount of alcohol consumed, but also on the type of beverage. Even low to moderate intake of spirits, beer or cider is linked to higher mortality, while low to moderate intake of wine may carry lower risk."
Researchers said that several factors may account for the differences by alcohol type. Certain compounds present in red wine, such as polyphenols and antioxidants, may have benefits for cardiovascular health. Wine is also more likely to be consumed with meals and by people who have higher-quality diets and healthier behaviors in general, while spirits, beer and cider are more likely to be consumed outside of meals and were associated with lower overall diet quality and other lifestyle risk factors.
"Taken together, these factors suggest that the type of alcohol, how it is consumed and the associated lifestyle behaviors all contribute to the observed differences in mortality risk," Chen said.
In their analyses, researchers adjusted the data to account for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, cardiometabolic factors and family history of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, they said that the research has inherent limitations as an observational study and suggested that high-quality randomized trials could help to better understand the impacts of alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption was assessed based on self-reporting at baseline and did not capture changes in drinking patterns over time. In addition, UK Biobank participants are generally healthier than the overall population, which may limit the study's generalizability.
Despite these limitations, the study's large sample size and length of follow-up strengthen its statistical power. Researchers said the study provides a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the health impacts of alcohol consumption than many prior studies, offering a high degree of granularity in terms of the amount and type of alcohol consumed as well as a variety of mortality outcomes.
Ziyue Li will present the study, "Alcohol Use at Mid-Life and All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality," on Saturday, March 28, at 12:30 p.m. CT / 17:30 UTC in Posters, Hall E.
ACC.26 will take place March 28-30, 2026, in New Orleans, bringing together cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists from around the world to share the newest discoveries in treatment and prevention. Follow @ACCinTouch, @ACCMediaCenter and #ACC26 for the latest news from the meeting.
* * *
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is the global leader in transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. As the preeminent source of professional medical education for the entire cardiovascular care team since 1949, ACC credentials cardiovascular professionals in over 140 countries who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. Through its world-renowned family of JACC Journals, NCDR registries, ACC Accreditation Services, global network of Member Sections, CardioSmart.org patient resources and more, the College is committed to ensuring a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at ACC.org.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.acc.org/About-ACC/Press-Releases/2026/03/18/20/23/The-Health-Impacts-of-Alcohol-Depend-on-What-You-Drink-And-How-Much
[Category: Medical]
