In the UK, harmful drinking is declining among every age group except the over-50s who continue to drink at hazardous levels.
Inews reports that more than four million Britons aged over 50 think they should cut back on the amount of alcohol they drink, according to new research.
A national survey of 2120 older people by the campaign group Drink Wise, Age Well, found 24 per cent of 50 to 54-year-old drinkers sometimes think they should cut down, compared with 20 per cent of 60 to 64-year-olds and 10 per cent of over 75’s. Overall, 17 per cent think they should drink less.
In the UK, harmful drinking is declining among every age group except the over-50s. Asked which age group is most likely to experience the negative consequences of drinking too much alcohol, 36 per cent said 18 to 29-year-olds, while just 22 per cent said 50 to 69-year-olds.
The findings coincide with the publication of Calling Time for Change, a charter for politicians and policy makers about how to reduce alcohol harm among people over 50.
Data from the Office for National Statistics shows people over 45 are most likely to drink at hazardous levels, while younger generations are drinking less.
The number of alcohol related deaths for over-50s has risen 45 per cent since 2001 and Public Health data shows that alcohol is now the sixth biggest cause of disability among people in their 50’s and 60’s, up from 16th in 1990.
Drink Wise, Age Well is calling for targeted campaigns to help older adults and their families to understand how life events like bereavement or retirement can lead to increased alcohol use, and how alcohol can affect healthy ageing.
(Story source: Inews)
