Alcohol Policy UK

New evidence on risks of low-level alcohol use in pregnancy

In this guest post, Dr Kayleigh Easey (@KayEasey), from the Bristol Medical School’s MRC Intergrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, takes a look at a recent research investigating effects of drinking in pregnancy and child mental health.

Whilst it’s generally known that heavy alcohol use during pregnancy can cause physical and cognitive impairments in offspring, there has been relatively limited evidence about the effects of low to moderate alcohol use. As such there have been conflicting conclusions about the potential harm of drinking in pregnancy, and debate around official guidance.

Alcohol & COVID-19 pt 2: PHE guidance, Alcohol Change UK survey, WHO factsheet & more

Following our first post on alcohol and COVID-19 related guidance, news and support, the below sets out key subsequent releases.

Alcohol Change UK have released findings from a survey of over 2,000 people on the effect of Coronavirus on consumption, as reported in the Guardian. More than one in three people said they had either stopped drinking or reduced how often they drink since the lockdown. Six per cent have stopped drinking entirely. Around one in five drinkers (21%) said they have been drinking more frequently since the lockdown.

Almost half of drinkers said they were drinking about the same amount on a typical drinking day, but 15% said they have been drinking more per session. However, falls seems to be driven by lower risk drinkers, whilst increases seem to be driven by those already drinking at risky or harmful levels. See here for a Twitter summary thread and separate findings from a YouGov survey here.

Alcohol & COVID-19: news, guidance & comment

In the wake of the COVID-19 'Corona' virus pandemic, below we highlight a selection of alcohol-related news, comments and guidance.

News and comment

Britain’s drinking habits are changing under lockdown, as CGA insights say people are reporting drinking less alcohol than before the outbreak, with nearly half (42%) saying they are drinking less alcohol than usual.

COVID-19 and alcohol: an enduring effect on home drinking habits? James Morris explores the range of implications resulting from the rise in home drinking in this piece for the Society for the Study of Addiction (SSA). See here for a Twitter thread by Colin Angus exploring some of the data and implications regarding likely consumption impacts.