A new report released las week on the state of Australia's health shows half of all Australians (48.2 per
cent) are taking action to reduce their drinking.
"We know that drinking alcohol contributes to the leading causes of disease in Australians -heart disease, strokes
and cancer, so it's very positive that so many people are trying to cut down," said Robin Room, Director - AER
Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's biennial Australia's Health 2010 report shows that the impact
alcohol has on health far outweighs any possible benefits. The report quotes National Health and Medical
Research Council findings, which show benefits from alcohol might occur at very low levels of drinking, but it is
doubtful there are any benefits at all.
"Consumers deserve to know that there is very little protective effect for their physical health from drinking," said Mr
Room.
"In fact, the only group that small amounts of alcohol has been proven to benefit are women aged over 65, who
traditionally aren't big drinkers anyway. For the rest of us, it's a potentially devastating drug that takes 3000 lives
and costs taxpayers $15.3 billion every year," said Mr Room.
"We hope more Australians become aware of just how harmful alcohol is for our health and take simple steps to
reduce the amount they drink," added Mr Room.
Of the reported 48.2 per cent of Australian drinkers who have taken steps to reduce their alcohol intake, one in
three had either reduced the number of drinks in one sitting or the number of times they go out to drink. One in 10
drinkers had quit alcohol altogether.
About 1 in 10 Australian adults put their health at long term risk by drinking too much. Similarly, double that number
drink in a way that is risky in the short term.
The report also predicted a 10 percent increase in cancer cases in 2010, compared to 2006. Alcohol is second only
to tobacco as the most harmful drug in Australia. The World Health Organisation has classed alcohol as a Group 1
carcinogen, which is the highest classification. This means that alcohol is a cause of cancer and puts alcohol in the
same class as tobacco. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the:
- mouth
- throat (larynx and pharynx)
- oesophagus
- bowel (colon and rectum)
- liver; and
- female breast.
Policy reform that tackles the availability, price and promotion of alcohol is needed to reduce the harm that alcohol
causes to Australians, such as cancer. To view the Australia's Health 2010 report, visit
here.
The Alcohol Policy Coalition (the Coalition) is a collaboration of health agencies - Australian Drug Foundation, Cancer Council Victoria, Turning
Point Alcohol and Drug Centre and VicHealth - with shared concern relating to the misuse of alcohol and its health/social impacts on the
community. Alcohol remains one of the major causes of preventable death and illness in Australia. As such, the Coalition advocates for
evidence based policy to prevent and reduce the harms caused by alcohol to Australians.
Source:
Australian Drug Foundation
воскресенье, 10 апреля 2011 г.
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These are the most read articles from this news category for the last 6 months:
Kidney Transplant Recipient Infected With HIV From Live Donor - Procedure Needs Reviewing
20 Mar 2011
Despite routine screening for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) by live donors, a kidney transplant recipient became infected, according the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene...
HIV Positive Porn Actor Did Not Infect Anybody Else
06 Nov 2010
19% Of Sexually Active Gay/Bisexual Men Are HIV Positive In Parts of US Cities
25 Sep 2010
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05 Nov 2010
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01 Dec 2010
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China Should Improve Illicit Drug Treatment Programs To Prevent Spread Of HIV, Letter To Editor Says
A recent New York Times article examining how public health authorities in Xinjiang, China, are confronting the link between injection drug use and an increasing number of HIV cases illustrated "one bright spot in China's war against the AIDS epidemic: in Xinjiang, the authorities are beginning to offer methadone to drug users," Sara Davis, executive director of Asia Catalyst, writes in a Times letter to the editor. However, the article did not "show an uglier piece of the picture," Davis writes, adding that each year, "authorities around the country forcibly detain thousands of drug users in prisons -- treatment centers in name only." According to Davis, detainees at the centers are "kept in unclean and overcrowded cells," and they receive "no counseling and are compelled to take part in forced, unpaid labor." Chinese commercial sex workers "also face similar detention," Davis writes, adding that interviews she has conducted have revealed that "all this punitive approach accomplishes is to marginalize those at high risk of HIV infection and drive them underground, away from the authorities and any program that could teach them about preventing HIV." Davis concludes, "China should abolish these fake treatment centers and replace them with real ones" (Davis, New York Times, 11/20).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Decrease In Alcohol Consumption With The Development Of Disease
In a cross-sectional study from the 2004 and 2007 Australian National Drug Strategy Household (NDSH) surveys, respondents were questioned about their current and past drinking, the presence of formal diagnosis for specific diseases (heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, anxiety, depression) and self-perceived general health status. The sample sizes for the 2004 and 2007 NDSH surveys were 24,109 and 23,356, respectively.
The authors report that respondents with a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, or anxiety were more likely to have reduced or stopped alcohol consumption in the past 12 months. The likelihood of having reduced or ceased alcohol consumption in the past 12 months increased as perceived general health status declined from excellent to poor (although the authors do not point out that lifetime abstainers were more likely than moderate drinkers to report less than excellent health status).
The authors conclude that the experience of ill health is associated with subsequent reduction or cessation of alcohol consumption ("sick quitters"), which is consistent with most prospective epidemiologic studies. The authors also conclude that this may at least partly underlie the observed 'J-shaped' function relating alcohol consumption to premature mortality. On the other hand, most modern epidemiologic studies are careful not to include "sick quitters" within the non-drinking category, and relate health effects of drinkers with those of lifetime abstainers. Further, prospective studies in which alcohol intake is assessed at different times (rather than having "changes" based only on recall at one point in time, as was done in this study) usually indicate that subjects who decrease their intake are more likely to subsequently develop adverse health outcomes, especially related to cardiovascular disease, than those who continue moderate drinking.
Notes:
Reference: Liang W, Chikritzhs T. Reduction in alcohol consumption and health status. Addiction 2010; in press (doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03164.x).
Contributions to this critique by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research were from the following members:
Ross McCormick PhD, MSC, MBChB, Associate Dean, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Harvey Finkel, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Pierre-Louis Teissedre, PhD, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
Erik Skovenborg, MD, Scandinavian Medical Alcohol Board, Practitioner, Aarhus, Denmark.
R. Curtis Ellison, MD, Section of Preventive Medicine & Epidemiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Ulrich Keil, MD, PhD, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of M??nster, M??nster, Germany.
Dominique Lanzmann-Petithory,MD, PhD, Nutrition/Cardiology, Praticien Hospitalier H??pital Emile Roux, Paris, France.
David Vauzour, PhD, Dept. of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Reading, UK.
Source:
R. Curtis Ellison
Boston University Medical Center
The authors report that respondents with a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, or anxiety were more likely to have reduced or stopped alcohol consumption in the past 12 months. The likelihood of having reduced or ceased alcohol consumption in the past 12 months increased as perceived general health status declined from excellent to poor (although the authors do not point out that lifetime abstainers were more likely than moderate drinkers to report less than excellent health status).
The authors conclude that the experience of ill health is associated with subsequent reduction or cessation of alcohol consumption ("sick quitters"), which is consistent with most prospective epidemiologic studies. The authors also conclude that this may at least partly underlie the observed 'J-shaped' function relating alcohol consumption to premature mortality. On the other hand, most modern epidemiologic studies are careful not to include "sick quitters" within the non-drinking category, and relate health effects of drinkers with those of lifetime abstainers. Further, prospective studies in which alcohol intake is assessed at different times (rather than having "changes" based only on recall at one point in time, as was done in this study) usually indicate that subjects who decrease their intake are more likely to subsequently develop adverse health outcomes, especially related to cardiovascular disease, than those who continue moderate drinking.
Notes:
Reference: Liang W, Chikritzhs T. Reduction in alcohol consumption and health status. Addiction 2010; in press (doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03164.x).
Contributions to this critique by the International Scientific Forum on Alcohol Research were from the following members:
Ross McCormick PhD, MSC, MBChB, Associate Dean, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Harvey Finkel, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Pierre-Louis Teissedre, PhD, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
Erik Skovenborg, MD, Scandinavian Medical Alcohol Board, Practitioner, Aarhus, Denmark.
R. Curtis Ellison, MD, Section of Preventive Medicine & Epidemiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Ulrich Keil, MD, PhD, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of M??nster, M??nster, Germany.
Dominique Lanzmann-Petithory,MD, PhD, Nutrition/Cardiology, Praticien Hospitalier H??pital Emile Roux, Paris, France.
David Vauzour, PhD, Dept. of Food and Nutritional Sciences, The University of Reading, UK.
Source:
R. Curtis Ellison
Boston University Medical Center
British Government Issues New Guidelines Recommending That Pregnant Women, Those Trying To Conceive Abstain From Consuming Alcohol
The United Kingdom's Department of Health recently issued new guidelines recommending that women who are pregnant or trying to conceive abstain from consuming alcohol completely, London's Independent reports (Shaikh, Independent, 5/25). The recommendations replace current guidelines that say such women drink only one or two units of alcohol once or twice weekly, AFP/Yahoo! News reports. It also brings the country in line with guidelines in Australia, Canada, France and the U.S. that recommend abstinence from alcohol consumption.
The health department said it issued the guidelines to ensure that pregnant women receive a consistent message about the risks associated with alcohol consumption. A recent government survey found that 9% of pregnant women were drinking more than the recommended levels. According to the National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, more than 6,000 infants are born annually in Britain with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which is linked to alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/25).
The agency said that the new guidelines are meant to send a "strong signal" to the thousands of women who drink more than the recommended limit. The health department also wants warnings to be placed on labels of bottles of wine, spirits and beer, the Independent reports (Independent, 5/25).
"Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive," Deputy Chief Medical Officer Fiona Adshead said, adding, "The advice now reflects the fact that many women give up drinking alcohol completely during pregnancy. It is now straightforward and stresses that it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether" (Reuters UK, 5/25). Sheila Shribman, national clinical director for maternity services, said, "Although there is still scientific uncertainty about the precise impact of excess alcohol on unborn babies, we believe the time is right to introduce a strong, consistent approach across the whole of the U.K."
Patrick O'Brien, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said although there is "no doubt" that drinking high levels of alcohol during pregnancy is harmful, there is "no evidence that low-level drinking ... is harmful to the baby in any way." He added, "The advice that we are giving at the moment -- which is based on the evidence -- is that low levels of alcohol intake are perfectly safe" (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/25).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
The health department said it issued the guidelines to ensure that pregnant women receive a consistent message about the risks associated with alcohol consumption. A recent government survey found that 9% of pregnant women were drinking more than the recommended levels. According to the National Organisation on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, more than 6,000 infants are born annually in Britain with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, which is linked to alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/25).
The agency said that the new guidelines are meant to send a "strong signal" to the thousands of women who drink more than the recommended limit. The health department also wants warnings to be placed on labels of bottles of wine, spirits and beer, the Independent reports (Independent, 5/25).
"Our advice is simple: avoid alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive," Deputy Chief Medical Officer Fiona Adshead said, adding, "The advice now reflects the fact that many women give up drinking alcohol completely during pregnancy. It is now straightforward and stresses that it is better to avoid drinking alcohol altogether" (Reuters UK, 5/25). Sheila Shribman, national clinical director for maternity services, said, "Although there is still scientific uncertainty about the precise impact of excess alcohol on unborn babies, we believe the time is right to introduce a strong, consistent approach across the whole of the U.K."
Patrick O'Brien, spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said although there is "no doubt" that drinking high levels of alcohol during pregnancy is harmful, there is "no evidence that low-level drinking ... is harmful to the baby in any way." He added, "The advice that we are giving at the moment -- which is based on the evidence -- is that low levels of alcohol intake are perfectly safe" (AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/25).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Australian Medical Association Launches Publication On Health Risks Of Cannabis Use
To coincide with Drug Action Week 2008, the Australian Medical Association launched a brochure about the short and long-term effects of cannabis use.
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 is the AMA's assessment of new evidence that has emerged about the nature and effect of cannabis use.
Drug Action Week 2008 is held nationally to raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs issues in Australia.
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said cannabis was the most common illicit drug used in Australia, particularly among young people, and it was important that they had access to accurate and easily-understood information about the potential harms of the drug.
"Doctors are concerned that people of all ages aren't aware of the dangers of cannabis use," she said.
"Many Australians, including teenagers and their parents, visit their GP on a regular basis. These visits are an opportunity for doctors to provide patients with credible and authoritative information about cannabis use."
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 relates the facts in an objective way, includes information on the mental health effects of the drug's use, and provides sources of advice for people who wish to know more.
Dr Capolingua said the AMA existed to advocate for patients and to ensure that they received the best health system for their needs.
"The AMA will continue its efforts to improve the health of Australians through support for medical professionalism and public health education," she said.
The brochure also includes information on the effects of short-term use of cannabis in small and large doses, long-term use, smoking cannabis during pregnancy, how long the effects last, psychological dependence and driving or operating machinery under the influence of the drug.
In 2007, 33.5 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 had used cannabis at least once.
Nearly 13 per cent of 14 to 19-year-olds (221,700 young people) had used cannabis in the last 12 months.
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 is available here.
Australian Medical Association
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 is the AMA's assessment of new evidence that has emerged about the nature and effect of cannabis use.
Drug Action Week 2008 is held nationally to raise awareness about alcohol and other drugs issues in Australia.
AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said cannabis was the most common illicit drug used in Australia, particularly among young people, and it was important that they had access to accurate and easily-understood information about the potential harms of the drug.
"Doctors are concerned that people of all ages aren't aware of the dangers of cannabis use," she said.
"Many Australians, including teenagers and their parents, visit their GP on a regular basis. These visits are an opportunity for doctors to provide patients with credible and authoritative information about cannabis use."
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 relates the facts in an objective way, includes information on the mental health effects of the drug's use, and provides sources of advice for people who wish to know more.
Dr Capolingua said the AMA existed to advocate for patients and to ensure that they received the best health system for their needs.
"The AMA will continue its efforts to improve the health of Australians through support for medical professionalism and public health education," she said.
The brochure also includes information on the effects of short-term use of cannabis in small and large doses, long-term use, smoking cannabis during pregnancy, how long the effects last, psychological dependence and driving or operating machinery under the influence of the drug.
In 2007, 33.5 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 had used cannabis at least once.
Nearly 13 per cent of 14 to 19-year-olds (221,700 young people) had used cannabis in the last 12 months.
Take a closer look: Cannabis and your health 2008 is available here.
Australian Medical Association
HIV/AIDS In Indonesia 'Not Under Control,' Virus Spreading Among Injection Drug Users, Commercial Sex Workers, WHO Says
HIV/AIDS in Indonesia is "not under control," and HIV transmission among injection drug users, commercial sex workers and heterosexuals in the eastern province of Papua is increasing, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, the AP/International Herald Tribune reports. Government officials estimate that up to one million people living in the country, which has an estimated 169,000 to 216,000 HIV cases, by 2010 could become HIV-positive. The Indonesian government in July created a National AIDS Commission whose mission is to "prevent having one million infected people by 2010," Nafsiah Ben Mboi, the Commission's secretary, said. According to Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari, increasing public awareness of HIV/AIDS is the biggest challenge to this goal. Recent Health Ministry data found that one third of the country's AIDS cases were contracted through heterosexual sex and that more than half of Indonesia's AIDS cases are among IDUs (AP/International Herald Tribune, 11/28).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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