Measuring the burden: alcohol's evolving impact.

Measuring the impact of alcohol consumption on morbidity and mortality depends on the accurate measurement of alcohol exposure, risk relationships, and outcomes. A variety of complicating factors make it difficult to measure these elements. This article reviews these factors and provides an overview of the articles that make up this special issue on current research examining alcohol's role in the burden of disease. These topics include estimating alcohol consumption as well as alcohol-related morbidity and mortality in various demographic groups, and the burden of alcohol use disorders.