Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Statistics on Alcohol: England 2008

This statistical report presents a range of information on alcohol use and misuse which are drawn together from a variety of published sources and includes additional analysis undertaken by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care which is presented in a user friendly format. The report aims to present a broad picture of health issues relating to alcohol in England and covers topics such as drinking habits and behaviours among adults and school children, drinking related ill health and mortality, affordability of alcohol and alcohol related costs. Government plans and recommendations in this area are also summarised in the report.

Key facts:

Drinking among adults

  • in England in 2006, 72 per cent of men and 57 per cent of women reported drinking an alcoholic drink on at least one day in the week prior to interview. Twelve per cent of men and seven per cent of women reported drinking on every day in the previous week
  • in Great Britain in 2007, 69 per cent of people reported that they had heard of the government guidelines on alcohol consumption. Of these people, 40 per cent said that they did not know what the recommendations were.

Drinking among school children

In England in 2006, among pupils aged 11 to 15:

  • 45 per cent of pupils said they had never had a proper alcoholic drink (a whole drink and not just a sip), an increase compared to 39 per cent in 2001
  • 15 per cent of pupils thought it was okay to get drunk at least once a week, this figure was 30 per cent for 15 year olds.

Drinking-related ill-health and mortality

In England:

  • in 2007, there were 112,267 prescription items for drugs for the treatment of alcohol dependency prescribed in primary care settings; an increase of 20 per cent since 2003 when there was 93,241 prescription items
  • in 2006/07, there were 57,142 NHS hospital admissions with a primary diagnosis specifically related to alcohol. This number has risen by 52 per cent since 1995/96. Of these admissions, 4,888 (nine per cent) involved patients under 18 years of age
  • in 2006/07, NHS hospital admissions per 100,000 population varied regionally throughout England. In 2006/07 the North West Strategic Health Authority had the highest rate of 170 admissions with a primary diagnosis specifically related to alcohol per 100,000 population, and the East of England Strategic Health Authority showed the lowest rate of 72 admissions per 100,000 population.
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