05.05.16
Alcohol-related hospital admissions increase by 29% – PHE
Hospital admissions linked to alcohol are increasing, especially among older people, according to the latest figures from Public Health England (PHE).
The figures show that hospital admissions where the primary or secondary reason related to alcohol have increased by 29% since 2008, from 1,654.3 for every 100,000 people to 2,138.7.
Admissions for alcoholic liver disease have increased from 82.1 to 108.9, and admissions for alcohol-related cancer have increased from 35.3 to 38.0.
The report also found that alcohol-related hospital admissions had decreased among under 40s (from 199.5 for men and 125.1 for women to 180.7 and 120.4) but increased for 40-65s (344.9 to 371.2 for men and 211.7 to 229.9 for women).
However, there was some good news, including a 2.5% decrease in admissions caused solely by alcohol to 364.4.
This was greater among under-18s, where the admissions rate has fallen by 8.6% in the past year.
Figures from the Alcohol Health Alliance show alcohol-related deaths have been increasing for the past two years.
PHE will publish an independent evidence-based review on alcohol within the next year.
They also aim to reduce drinking as part of their One You public awareness campaign.
The recommended number of units to drink safely has also been reduced following increased awareness of the links between drinking and cancer.
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