A new report detailing results from drinking surveys in 25 local areas has been released by Public Health England (PHE).
The aim of the surveys was to establish the accuracy of existing localised consumption estimates and methodologies. Overall the data shows that despite significant variations between the local authorities sampled, general consistency with estimated prevalence of consumption and key demographics was found.
Key findings included:
- those with parental responsibility for children in their household were less likely to be drinking at increasing and higher risk
- average AUDIT scores reduced with increasing age
- adults in the highest AUDIT group (who show signs of possible alcohol dependence) drank on average 59 units of alcohol a week and were more likely to drink strong beer or cider. They were also more likely to drink most of their alcohol at home
- Awareness of Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines on low risk drinking increases with age
- 10% of respondents had participated in a campaign to reduce alcohol consumption with Dry January the most frequently cited campaign.
Whilst the data provides evidence that overall local estimations of alcohol consumption are largely sound, including existing national and APMS data, it also highlights the significant variations seen across regions and between age and gender groups. The findings are also generally congruent with survey data collected by the Alcohol Toolkit Study (ATS) which explores trends and behaviour change data. ATS has though published research on regional variations, suggesting high-risk drinking was less common in ‘central England’ than the rest of the country, and has also highlighted the limited delivery of brief advice to risky drinkers in GP practices.
The new local LAPE data looked at awareness of the Chief Medical Officer’s drinking guidelines, revised in 2016 to 14 units a week for men and women. Fifty per cent of those aged 18-34 were aware of the guidelines at least existing, rising to around 75% of those aged 55 and over.
Dry January insights
Just over 10% of respondents reported having taken part in a campaign to reduce their drinking, the majority of which (70%) reported attempting Dry January. The findings may be considered interesting in light of questions over which type of drinkers are attracted to such campaigns. Dry January's significant rise in popularity in recent years has inevitably attracted some calls for caution, including whether it is more likely to help those whose drinking is less harmful, or indeed engage those with dependence who should in fact be encouraged to consider professional support. Whilst Dry January has highlighted it is not aimed at those with alcohol dependency, the LAPE data suggests those scoring 20+ on the AUDIT are the most likely to participate (see here for Twitter comments on low sample rate).
Will other Local Authorities replicate the survey?
PHE say completing the equivalent local surveys across all local authorities would be cost-prohibitive, but suggests other local areas may wish to use the available questionnaire and methodology to do so. Most areas are likely to be content with the existing local data estimates, particularly given the ever-limited budgets available to undertake new or novel alcohol-related activities. Nonetheless, PHE continue to encourage and support local areas to seek more nuanced understandings of their local populations and target interventions accordingly.
Recent Comments