The harm alcohol consumption can cause to health has been laid bare in new University of Otago, Wellington-led research.
It found 901 deaths, 1250 cancers, 29,282 hospitalisations, and 128,963 ACC claims were attributable to alcohol in 2018.
Of the deaths, 42 per cent were from cancer, 33 per cent from injuries, and 25 per cent from conditions such as liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis and epilepsy. Males accounted for the vast majority of health harms, and the rate of alcohol-attributable mortality was twice as high for Māori.
Dr Anja Mizdrak
These health conditions impact even lower-level drinkers, with two standard drinks per week increasing the risk of developing several types of cancer including breast and colon cancer.
The assessment of the burden of ill health caused by alcohol consumption – Estimated alcohol-attributable health burden in Aotearoa New Zealand (2024) – is published today by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.
Focusing on individuals aged 15 and over, the study includes 26 different diseases and conditions related to drinking and was conducted in collaboration with the University of Victoria’s Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research. It is the first time such analysis has been done since 2013, which was based on data from 2007.
Co-author Dr Anja Mizdrak, of Otago’s Department of Public Health, says the report highlights the substantial preventable health burden alcohol causes.
“The findings aren’t surprising – previous research, both here and overseas, has consistently shown alcohol contributes significantly to disease burden. This research shows that alcohol continues to have a big negative impact on health in New Zealand and contributes to inequities,” she says.
She also notes the results are underestimates.
“They don’t capture the true burden of alcohol harms as they only consider harms to the drinker. For example, we don't capture harms to those injured by drink driving who weren't under the influence of alcohol or the knock-on impacts from the extra pressure on the health system.”
While the report covers the data from 2018, Dr Mizdrak stresses the results would be similar today.
“Alcohol has a detrimental effect on health and contributes to injuries and multiple cancers – including some of the most common cancers like breast and bowel cancers.
“Even moderate levels of alcohol consumption are harmful – more than two standard drinks per week will increase your risk of developing cancer, and each additional standard drink radically increases the risk of alcohol-related consequences,” she says.
The report outlines several policy avenues for reducing the alcohol-attributable health burden, including placing restrictions on alcohol marketing and availability; increasing excise tax; and implementing a national screening and brief intervention programme.
“There is a lot we can do to reduce the harm that alcohol does in our communities. The large social and economic impacts on individuals and the government, and the pressure that alcohol places on our already stretched health system should give us reason to act.”
Publication details:
Estimated alcohol-attributable health burden in Aotearoa New Zealand (2024)
Chambers T., Mizdrak A., Jones A.C., Davies, A. and Sherk, A.
Funded by Te Hiringa Hauora | Health Promotion Agency