However, a recent article from the New York Times explains that the full impact of alcohol - and of five brands of beer in particular - on hospital visits may be stranger than doctors and patients alike had previously realized.

According to the article, a rough 33 percent of all hospital visits by patients due to injuries involve alcohol in one way or another. A new study by Baltimore's John Hopkins Hospital, however, delved a bit further into these statistics over the course of a year. What they found was that, out of all patients admitted to the hospital for a matter related to alcohol, the same four or five beer brands kept cropping up again and again as the cause of the incident.

These five beers, says the study, were Budweiser, Bud Light, Bud Ice, Colt 45, and Steel Reserve. Though these brands account for less than 3 percent of the total beer consumption amongst the general population, they nevertheless made up almost half of the beer consumption of emergency room patients. Three of the five brands are also malt liquors, which generally contain higher alcohol levels than other varieties of beer.

"It's not surprising that alcohol has so much prevalence in emergency room visits," says Kris Crawford, South Carolina emergency room physician. "Alcohol inhibits judgment and motor skills, and is a common factor in the many patients that emergency rooms see due to car accidents, home accidents, and physical conflicts. It is more surprising that so much of this can be attributed to just a handful of specific alcohol varieties. However, this may be more of a regional correlation than a nationwide one."

The article agrees, with one major researcher noting that this particular breakdown of alcohol preferences may be unique to the Baltimore area. As such, the researchers are hoping to soon test the statistics of other major United States cities.

"If the findings involved hold up across multiple regions," says Kris Crawford, South Carolina medical professional, "then it may lead to more extensive warning labels on beer brands that contain more alcohol than others."

ABOUT:

Kris Crawford, South Carolina medical doctor, also has his hands full with many other positions and responsibilities. After earning his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, he went on to finish his medical training at the McLeod Medical Center, where he still works today as an emergency room physician. Crawford is also an emergency room physician at the nearby Lake City Community Hospital. On top of his work as a doctor, he has also gained prominence in republican political circles with his firsthand insight into many important healthcare concerns. His fellow policymakers know him as a voice of common sense when it comes to public policy, which has earned him a seat in the South Carolina House of Representatives. In addition, Crawford serves as a volunteer Deputy Sherriff to Florence County and sits on the boards of many special state committees. Beyond his work, he is also a dedicated family man with a wife and four daughters.