Last updated: 20 June 2024

Next review: 20 June 2025

This content is part of the Waltham Forest JSNA. To see other JSNA content, visit the JSNA landing page

Alcohol misuse is the biggest risk factor for death, ill-health and disability among 15 to 49 year-olds in the UK, and the fifth biggest risk factor across all ages. Alcohol is associated with more than 60 medical conditions, including: mouth, throat, stomach, liver and breast cancers, high blood pressure, cirrhosis of the liver, and depression. [1]

In 2021, there were 749 alcohol-related hospital admissions in Waltham Forest (322 per 100,000 population). Of those, 516 were male (69%) and 233 were female (31%). This admission rate was significantly lower than the average rates for England (494 per 100,000) and London (425 per 100,000). This is based on the narrow definition of alcohol-related admissions, where the primary diagnosis (main reason for admission) is an alcohol-related condition (such as alcoholic liver disease), or a secondary diagnosis is an alcohol-related external cause (such as falls or accidents while under the influence of alcohol).  

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Chart for Hospital admissions for alcohol related conditions

Source: OHID Public Health Outcomes Framework. OHID calculations using data from NHS Digital (Hospital Episode Statistics) and ONS mid-year population estimates. Date accessed: 13 April 2023. 

References:

[1] Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. Local Alcohol Profiles. Date accessed: 30 May 2023