TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Health Insurance Administration said the government spends NT$5.3 billion (US$168 million) annually on alcohol-related diseases, highlighting the need to tackle alcohol-linked health issues in the country.

At a news conference Tuesday, Administration Director Chen Liang-yu (陳亮妤) said about 8.5 million people in Taiwan are regular drinkers, with around 1 million engaging in binge drinking, per CNA.

Acetaldehyde, a chemical produced when the body breaks down alcohol, has been classified as a cancer-causing substance by the World Health Organization. It is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon and breast. Chen added that people who drink heavily over a long period are twice as likely to develop depression and have a higher risk of dementia.

Taiwan Liver Disease Prevention & Treatment Foundation Chair Sheu Jin-chuan (許金川) said that 47% of people in Taiwan have poor alcohol metabolism, mainly because many lack sufficient levels of the enzyme ALDH2, which helps break down alcohol. He warned that excessive drinking can lead to fatty liver, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Early liver disease often has no obvious symptoms. Signs such as yellowing of the skin, fluid buildup in the abdomen, or vomiting blood indicate severe liver damage, Sheu added.

Nien Hsiao-ching (粘曉菁), a doctor at Good Liver Clinic, said people can check if they lack the enzyme with a blood test or a quick mouth swab. She noted that new testing equipment for the procedure is automated and certified by US and Taiwanese authorities. The test is not covered by National Health Insurance.

The foundation is collaborating with the government to provide a one-time, free blood test screening for hepatitis and ultrasound examinations for individuals aged 45–79. The initiative has also attracted corporate support, including a donation from Ochre Bio to aid liver testing and NT$4 million from Chroma ATE Inc. to help the foundation buy testing equipment.