Alcohol

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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).  

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