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.

___________________________________________

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Children admitted to hospital due to alcohol increasing

By Rebecca Smith, Medical Editor
17 Dec 2008

The number of children admitted to hospital due to alcohol has risen with those living in rural and isolated areas worst affected, official figures have revealed.

Almost 8,000 children under the age of 18 were admitted to hospital in 2006/7 a rise of more than five per cent in three years.

The data from the North West Public Health Observatory has calculated the alcohol-related health problems for each local authority area and found despite awareness campaigns and warnings from doctors illnesses and deaths caused by drinking continue to rise.

Areas with the highest child admissions due to drink are in rural places such as Copeland in Cumbria, the Isle of Wight, Rossendale in Lancashire, Wirral, and Halton in Cheshire.

The highest adult admissions though tended to be in major towns and cities, especially in the North West. . . . . .


_______________________________________________
at