The annual Statistics on Alcohol for England 2019 has been released, detailing national data for key alcohol-related indicators and health harms including the latest Local Alcohol Profiles for England (LAPE) data update and reported by The Independent and The Guardian.
The 2019 national statistics are no longer available to download as a report, but mostly compiles data from previously released data summarised in web page sections on:
The latest broad figure represents 7.2% of all hospital admissions whilst increases in the rate have been observed every year of the last ten, first passing the million mark in 2010. Based on the 'narrow' measure, as introduced in 2014 and reportedly more sensitive to changes, there were 338,000 admissions where the main reason for admission to hospital was attributable to alcohol, similar to the 337,000 in the previous year.
In England in 2017, there were 5,843 alcohol-specific deaths, figures previously released last year, 6% higher than 2016 and an increase of 16% on 2007. Data on the number of prescription items for the treatment of alcohol problems have not been updated since 2018 release identifying 173,000.
Adult drinking behaviour is based on the recently released Health Survey for England (HSE) 2017 data, in which 28% of men and 14% of women drank at either increasing or higher risk levels. Children's drinking behaviours have not been updated since the 2018 release showing the positive downward trend in most measures of young people's drinking.
In 2016 there were an estimated 230 deaths in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, 13% of all deaths in reported road accidents. An estimated 9,040 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit. This is 5% of all reported road casualties and is the highest number since 2012, raising possible questions for drink-driving policy.
No new data is presented on affordability since the last release which identifies alcohol has become 64% more affordable since 1987 in the UK.
Highlighting the disparities
A Twitter thread by the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) highlights consumption and harms as focused on middle-aged groups, stating 'alcohol-related mortality and morbidity is a middle-age phenomenon – most deaths and hospital admissions were amongst those between 40 and 65 years of age'. In The Guardian, Katherine Severi, chief executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, said
“These data demolish the stereotypes linked to alcohol problems, which aren’t confined to a small minority of so-called irresponsible drinkers. Affluent, well-educated groups are drinking the most.
“It’s vital we move away from such myths. Action on affordability, availability and promotion of alcohol is proven to reduce harm, save lives and bolster public finances,”
Dr Tony Rao, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrist’s addictions faculty, highlighted cuts to treatment services, stating:
“The £700m cut from public health budgets since 2014 continues to have a devastating impact on the lives of people struggling with alcohol use disorders.
“Alcohol harm to older people remains a growing concern, with baby boomers having the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths and alcohol-related admissions.”
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