Provisional alcohol-related hospital admissions data for 2008/09 is now available from the North West Public Health Observatory (download the Quarterly data excel sheet from the data download tab). The data shows the overall rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions is still rising, though the rate of increase is slowing down. The summary of key findings reads:
"The rate of admission in 2008/09 in England was 1562 per 100,000 population, up 6% on 2007/08. The number of admissions was 933 thousand, up 8% on 2007/08.
The rate of admission is highest in the North East (2254) and North West (2080); and lowest in South Central SHA (1127) and East of England SHA (1303). West Midlands SHA has seen the largest increase in the rate of admission relative to the previous year, up 12%, compared with a 1% fall in the South West. However, this follows on from an increase of only 2% in the West Midlands between 2006/07 and 2007/08."
Rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions are likely to be determined by multiple socio-economic factors influencing consumption patterns and behaviours, as well as the impact of alcohol-harm reduction interventions - see our recent news on consumption and trends. The figures will be of particular interest to local authorities and PCTs that have chosen to prioritise alcohol-related targets through NI 39 and VSC 26.
For alcohol-related data and information for your region visit the Local Alcohol Profiles for England site or see here for the national Statistics on Alcohol, England 2009.
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