The present analyses are consistent with previous conclusions that the average volume of alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk for many disease outcomes. They also confirm the protective role of light to moderate drinking with certain diseases, and clarify that this protection only occurs if the pattern of average light-moderate drinking does not include episodes of heavy drinking. In addition, heavy drinking was found to add additional risk to that of average volume for certain disease and injury categories. While these findings provide a strong basis for establishing the importance of alcohol consumption for public health, there are a number of methodological issues and research gaps that prevent more precise estimates and a greater understanding of the relationship between alcohol consumption and disease/injury. In particular, future research needs to address the role of drinking pattern, use better measures of exposure and outcome, use stronger research designs and more representative samples.
