Alcohol abuse costing £27bn a year in England

Alcohol abuse costing £27bn a year in England  The Guardian

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May 19, 2024 - 03:00 Updated: May 22, 2024 - 06:16
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Alcohol abuse costing £27bn a year in England

Alcohol abuse costing £27bn a year in England

Report on the Economic and Social Impact of Alcohol Abuse in England

Introduction

A recent study has revealed the staggering cost of alcohol abuse in England, amounting to £27 billion annually. This expenditure covers health and social harms associated with drinking, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this issue.

Health Sector Impact

The Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) utilized a methodology comparable to a 2003 Cabinet Office study to estimate the current costs. The findings indicate that alcohol-related expenses for the health service reach £4.9 billion annually. Notably, more than £3 billion of this is attributed to alcohol-related A&E visits and hospital admissions.

Alcohol-Related Mortality and Health Conditions

Official figures from April 2022 show a record 10,048 deaths due to alcohol-specific causes, the highest since records began in 2001. Alcohol consumption is linked to various health conditions, including:

  • Seven types of cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cirrhosis
  • Stroke
  • Digestive problems

Social and Economic Impact

The IAS study also highlights the broader societal impact of alcohol. The criminal justice system incurs costs of £14.6 billion due to over 4 million alcohol-related crimes. Social services spend nearly £3 billion annually addressing the effects of alcohol on individuals and families.

Economic Consequences

In terms of economic impact, the study estimates:

  1. £1 billion lost due to unemployment caused by alcohol use
  2. Nearly £4 billion lost through decreased productivity

Regional Disparities

The costs associated with alcohol harm are not evenly distributed across England. The per capita impact is highest in the north-east (£562 per year) and lowest in the south-west. On average, the cost per head is £485 annually.

Policy Recommendations and SDGs

The Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee is set to review evidence on alcohol harms as part of its inquiry into preventing ill health from drinking, smoking, drugs, and gambling. The findings align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Reducing alcohol-related harm will significantly improve public health.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Addressing alcohol misuse can enhance productivity and reduce economic losses.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Targeted interventions can help mitigate regional disparities in alcohol harm.

Expert Opinions and Calls for Action

Dr. Katherine Severi, IAS Chief Executive, emphasized the need for a comprehensive alcohol strategy to reduce harm and financial burden. Public health experts advocate for measures such as increased alcohol duty, health warnings on labels, and restrictions on marketing.

Industry Response

Matt Lambert, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, acknowledged the impact of alcohol misuse but highlighted the industry’s commitment to promoting moderate drinking and supporting local initiatives to tackle harm.

Government Initiatives

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson outlined ongoing efforts, including a 10-year drug strategy supported by £532 million and reforms to alcohol duty based on alcohol content. These initiatives aim to address the harms associated with alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

The report underscores the significant economic and social costs of alcohol abuse in England. Addressing this issue aligns with multiple SDGs and requires coordinated efforts from government, industry, and public health experts to develop effective strategies for reducing alcohol-related harm.

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Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
    • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
    • Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
    • Indicator 3.5.2: Harmful use of alcohol, defined according to the national context as alcohol per capita consumption (aged 15 years and older) within a calendar year in litres of pure alcohol.
    • Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
  • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
    • Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months.

4. Findings Table

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
Target 3.4: Reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.		 Indicator 3.5.2: Harmful use of alcohol.
Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men. Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all. Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. Indicator 16.1.3: Proportion of population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence in the previous 12 months.

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: theguardian.com

 

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