Alcohol-Related Health & Mortality Statistics

Information Services (ISD Scotland), today published the above information at the following web address: 
http://www.alcoholinformation.isdscotland.org/

The release contains information about alcohol related discharges from general acute hospitals and alcohol related mortalities.

Key Points

• In 2004/05, there were 40 448 discharges from acute general hospitals with an alcohol-related diagnosis, a rate of 748 per 100 000 population. Over the last five years, the discharge rate has increased by 17 per cent from 639 per 100 000 population in 2000/01.
• Alcohol-related discharges were more common among males than females, with the 2004/05 male rate (1121 per 100 000) being nearly three times that of females (407 per 100 000).
• The specific alcohol-related conditions vary with age. For example, in the under 18s, 60 per cent (667 discharges) of all such diagnoses in 2004/05 related to acute intoxification, while the equivalent figure for those aged 45 and over was 14 per cent (3 600).   Alcoholic liver disease accounted for only 0.4 per cent of discharges (4 discharges) in under 18s, but 19 per cent (4 804) in those aged 45 years and over.
• The council areas with the highest alcohol-related discharge rates in 2004/05 were Western Isles (1 554 per 100 000), Glasgow City (1 430 per 100 000) and Inverclyde (1 254 per 100 000). The lowest rates were seen in East Dunbartonshire (321 per 100 000), Angus (357 per 100 000) and Aberdeenshire (418 per 100 000).
• In 2004/05, 7754 discharges (19%) involved an emergency admission and, of these, 4259 (55%) were admitted on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Such admissions were more common among the under 18 year olds, with 667 discharges (60%) being classified as emergencies and 514 (77%) occurring on a weekend.
• There were a total of 2052 alcohol related deaths in 2004. Over the last 5 years the number of alcohol related deaths has risen 21 per cent, from 1694 to 2052 people.
• Male deaths exceeded those of females by approximately 3 to 1 (males 1515, females 537).

Background

1. This is an Information Services (ISD) National Statistics release. National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and adhere to codes of practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

2. ISD Scotland is part of the National Services Scotland and has a primary role in supporting NHS Scotland and other associated organisations on information matters. Within ISD the Drug Misuse Information Strategy Team carry out work on behalf of the Scottish Executive and local Drug and Alcohol Teams and their constituent organisations. For more information about ISD Scotland see the ISD Scotland website: http://www.isdscotland.org/

3. The National Alcohol Information Resource who produced this publication are part of the Information Services Division (ISD).

The team:

• provides information support to Alcohol and Drug Action Teams, Local Authorities, NHS Boards, specialist alcohol services, the Scottish Executive and others
• develops expertise in the use of available data to produce robust performance and activity indicators to monitor the impact of national and local policies; and
• supports the research and analytical work of other organisations, subject to general priorities and ethical and legal considerations.

For further information contact :

Dr Stephen Pavis
Programme Development Manager
ISD Scotland
Phone 0131 275 6670
e-mail Stephen.pavis@isd.csa.scot.nhs.uk