In this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores common myths surrounding alcohol. Joined by physician and alcohol policy researcher Dr. Tim Naimi, they dive into the evidence on alcohol's health impacts, its role in violence and chronic disease, and the policies that could meaningfully reduce harm.

Guest Bio

Dr. Tim Naimi, M.D., M.P.H., is a physician and leading alcohol epidemiologist. He previously worked at the CDC and Boston University and is currently based at the University of Victoria in Canada, where his work focuses on the population-level impacts of alcohol and evidence-based policy solutions.

Key Takeaways

✅ Alcohol contributes to an estimated 178,000 deaths each year in the U.S., making it a leading cause of preventable death.

✅ Alcohol increases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, challenging the myth that drinking is good for heart health.

✅ The economic costs of alcohol far exceed the revenue it generates, with taxpayers covering much of the difference.

✅ Policies that reduce affordability, availability, and acceptability of alcohol are proven to lower harm but remain underused.

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In this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores Ireland's groundbreaking step toward requiring cancer warning labels on alcohol. Joined by Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, they unpack how Ireland became the first country in the world to mandate labels that tell the truth about alcohol's health risks, and what it could mean for U.S. policy. This conversation reveals why warning labels matter, how the alcohol industry fights to suppress them, and what advocates everywhere can learn from Ireland's playbook.

Guest Bio

Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, and is a leading advocate in Ireland who focuses on reducing alcohol harms. She is a member of the Public Health Alcohol Research Group established by the Minister for Health in Ireland to advise on alcohol policy evaluation research.

Key Takeaways

✅ Alcohol warning labels make a difference — Studies show that clear health warnings reduce consumption, inform public debate, and shift cultural norms.

✅ Industry pushback is fierce and strategic — Big Alcohol uses delay tactics, misinformation, and economic arguments to stall implementation.

✅ Advocates can learn from Ireland's success — Build coalitions, gather public polling data, and keep the issue visible in the media to maintain momentum for change.

Resources & Links

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In this episode of The Shift, USAPA CEO Mike Marshall explores the hidden link between alcohol and breast cancer—a connection too few people know about. Joined by Stephanie Mencimer, senior reporter at Mother Jones, they unpack Stephanie's personal journey through a breast cancer diagnosis and her groundbreaking 2018 investigation, "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?" Together, they examine how the alcohol industry has downplayed the science, shaped public perception, and even "pinkwashed" its products in the name of breast cancer awareness.

Guest Bio

Stephanie Mencimer is a staff reporter at Mother Jones. In 2017, Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer and while going through treatment wrote, "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?"

Key Takeaways

✅ Alcohol is a known carcinogen, and evidence linking it to breast cancer has been clear for decades—yet most women are never told this by their doctors.

✅ The alcohol industry has invested heavily in shaping research and public messaging, emphasizing "personal responsibility" and the myth of health benefits while minimizing known risks.

✅ Knowledge is power—as Stephanie's story shows, being informed about alcohol's real risks gives people the freedom to make choices about their health based on truth, not marketing.

Resources & Links

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📄 Transcript of this episode → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dYhLcZAuuLMyyIITepJD0ryzWvMDR-Cg/view?usp=sharing

📚 Read Stephanie's article "Did Drinking Give Me Breast Cancer?"→ https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/04/did-drinking-give-me-breast-cancer/

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