In 2022-23, alcohol accounted for over half of all drug-related hospitalisations, with 80,439 or 60% of Australians hospitalised. The 2019-20 Alcohol Report released by AIHW notes the four most common causes of alcohol-related injury hospitalisations across Australia were:
- falls (39%)
- intentional self-harm (24%)
- assault (15%)
- transport (7.2%)
Alcohol-related injuries continue to be a significant public health issue in Western Australia, with far reaching impacts on the community. The economic costs of injury, medical treatment, and lost productivity, combined with the social impact, continue to place a strain on the public sector. Tackling this issue requires a coordinated approach, including evidence based prevention strategies, early intervention, and public health education to reduce the incidence of alcohol-related harm and support those impacted.
During the Injury Matters 2023 Injury Prevention Summit, keynote speaker Professor Tanya Chikritzhs and presentations from Jo Woodruff (Holyoake) and Allison Grainger (the Behaviour Change Collaborative) highlighted the risks and impact of alcohol and asked the question, “Where would we be without alcohol?” Download and share the infographic which breaks down key takeaways from the presentations.
Injury Matters has also recently updated the Know Injury Alcohol-related Injuries information page. Head to the website to read the latest data on the impact in Western Australia.
Workshops: Preventing harm from alcohol and other drugs among older adults
Australian adults aged over 50 consume alcohol more regularly than any other age group. In addition to drinking more frequently, older adults are at greater risk of harm from alcohol due to physiological differences in how older adults metabolise alcohol and the presence of other co-morbidities. Injury Matters, in collaboration with Professor Robert Ali and Professor Steve Allsop, are delivering FREE workshops to equip allied health professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively identify and address alcohol and other drug (AoD) risks in their older adult clients/patients. Head to the events page to find a workshop near you.
Catch Up!
Stay informed and read past blogposts that look at the link between online alcohol advertising and high-risk drinking and alcohol-related injuries among young people in WA.
- From Clicks to Sips: The link between online alcohol advertising and high-risk drinking
- Alcohol-related injuries among young people in WA
Jan 2025