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Wealthy areas head alcohol table Wealthy areas head alcohol table
(about 1 hour later)
Those living in relatively affluent areas of England are more likely to be consuming "hazardous" levels of alcohol than poorer neighbours, a study says.Those living in relatively affluent areas of England are more likely to be consuming "hazardous" levels of alcohol than poorer neighbours, a study says.
Hazardous drinking - consuming between 22 and 50 units per week - was highest in the Surrey area of Runnymede and lowest in the London borough of Newham.Hazardous drinking - consuming between 22 and 50 units per week - was highest in the Surrey area of Runnymede and lowest in the London borough of Newham.
The Liverpool John Moores University study found "harmful" levels - above 50 units - highest in poorer areas.The Liverpool John Moores University study found "harmful" levels - above 50 units - highest in poorer areas.
Manchester topped this table with Winchester in the lowest position.Manchester topped this table with Winchester in the lowest position.
HAZARDOUS DRINKING HOTSPOTS Runnymede: 26.4Harrogate: 26.4Surrey Heath: 26.0Guildford: 25.5Mid Sussex: 25.5Mole Valley: 25.5Leeds: 25.3Elmbridge: 25.3Waverley: 25.2Woking: 25.0 Percentage of adults aged over 16 regularly drinking between 22 to 50 units/week (men) and 15-35 units/week (women)HAZARDOUS DRINKING HOTSPOTS Runnymede: 26.4Harrogate: 26.4Surrey Heath: 26.0Guildford: 25.5Mid Sussex: 25.5Mole Valley: 25.5Leeds: 25.3Elmbridge: 25.3Waverley: 25.2Woking: 25.0 Percentage of adults aged over 16 regularly drinking between 22 to 50 units/week (men) and 15-35 units/week (women)
Local authority estimates of such drinking patterns, categorised as "harmful", ranged from 3.2% to 8.8% of the adult population.Local authority estimates of such drinking patterns, categorised as "harmful", ranged from 3.2% to 8.8% of the adult population.
It was lowest in the wealthy town of Winchester.It was lowest in the wealthy town of Winchester.
But richer areas fared much worse when it came to hazardous levels of drinking. In Runnymede, some 26.4% of adults were reported to drink in this way - over one in four of the population.But richer areas fared much worse when it came to hazardous levels of drinking. In Runnymede, some 26.4% of adults were reported to drink in this way - over one in four of the population.
Headed for hospitalHeaded for hospital
The team at the university's North West Public Health Observatory have collated and published the alcohol profiles for every local authority in England.The team at the university's North West Public Health Observatory have collated and published the alcohol profiles for every local authority in England.
HARMFUL DRINKING HOTSPOTS Manchester: 8.8Liverpool: 8.1Salford: 7.5Knowsley: 7.4Rochdale: 7.2 Tameside: 7.2Leeds: 7.1Oldham: 7.1City of Kingston upon Hull: 7.1Halton: 7.1 Percentage of adults aged over 16 regularly drinking over 50 units/week (men) and over 35 units/week (women)HARMFUL DRINKING HOTSPOTS Manchester: 8.8Liverpool: 8.1Salford: 7.5Knowsley: 7.4Rochdale: 7.2 Tameside: 7.2Leeds: 7.1Oldham: 7.1City of Kingston upon Hull: 7.1Halton: 7.1 Percentage of adults aged over 16 regularly drinking over 50 units/week (men) and over 35 units/week (women)
They also include figures for alcohol-related hospital admissions, alcohol-related recorded crimes and death rates from conditions related to alcohol.They also include figures for alcohol-related hospital admissions, alcohol-related recorded crimes and death rates from conditions related to alcohol.
Liverpool had the highest rate per 100,000 for alcohol attributable hospital admissions for men and women, according to the figures.Liverpool had the highest rate per 100,000 for alcohol attributable hospital admissions for men and women, according to the figures.
"In order to stop further increases in alcohol-related deaths and admission to hospital, we must also reverse the tolerance that most communities have built up by simply consuming too much alcohol on a weekly basis," said Professor Mark Bellis, the observatory's director."In order to stop further increases in alcohol-related deaths and admission to hospital, we must also reverse the tolerance that most communities have built up by simply consuming too much alcohol on a weekly basis," said Professor Mark Bellis, the observatory's director.
Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was working hard to change attitudes.Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said the government was working hard to change attitudes.
HAVE YOUR SAY Alcohol is relatively cheap, readily available and up to a point socially acceptable David T, London Send us your comments
"We launched a new cross-government alcohol strategy in June, and the Chancellor announced that a new national priority for the NHS will be to reduce the rate of hospital admissions of alcohol-related conditions, as part of the spending review announcement last week."We launched a new cross-government alcohol strategy in June, and the Chancellor announced that a new national priority for the NHS will be to reduce the rate of hospital admissions of alcohol-related conditions, as part of the spending review announcement last week.
  • One large glass of wine - 250ml at 12% alcohol - contains three units. A pint of standard strength beer contains two units.
  • One large glass of wine - 250ml at 12% alcohol - contains three units. A pint of standard strength beer contains two units.