COP 3 / Alcohol, health & cost / Research

COP 3 / OUGD601
ALCOHOL AND EFFECTS ON HEALTH.
RESEARCH.

One of the main issues with alcohol, lie cigarettes is the effects that it can have on ones health. There are so many parts of your body that can be effected.



Illnesses can go from small, not so significant issues, to those that can cause decease and premature death.

Compared to non-drinkers, if you regularly drink above higher-risk levels: 

• You could be 3-5 times more likely to get cancer of the mouth, neck and throat.
• You could be 3-10 times more likely to develop liver cirrhosis.
• Men could have four times the risk of having high blood pressure, and women are at least twice as likely to develop it.
• You could be twice as likely to have an irregular heartbeat.
• Women are around 1.5 times as likely to get breast cancer.

SOURCE

I found a really interesting and helpful website that helps to understand the effects of alcohol on the different parts of the body and what this can lead to.

http://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol/effects-on-body

HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS IN RELATION TO ALCOHOL.

• In 2011/12, there were an estimated 1,220,300 admissions related to alcohol consumption where an alcohol-related disease, injury or condition was the primary reason for hospital admission or a secondary diagnosis (broad measure). This is an increase of 4 per cent on the 2010/11 figure (1,168,300) and more than twice as many as in 2002/03 (510,700). Comparisons over time in the broad measure are complicated by changes in recording practices over the period. In order to estimate the trend once changes in recording practices are accounted for, a method to adjust the national figures has been devised which is presented in Appendix E. Adjusted figures show a 51 per cent increase from an estimated 807,700 in 2002/03 and a 1 per cent increase from 1,205,500 in 2010/11.

•  In 2012, there were 178,247 prescription items prescribed for the treatment of alcohol dependence in primary care settings or NHS hospitals and dispensed in the community. This is an increase of 6 per cent on the 2011 figure (167,764) and an increase of 73 per cent on the 2003 figure (102,741).

• The Net Ingredient Cost (NIC) of these prescriptions was £2.93 million in 2012. This is an increase of 18 per cent on the 2011 figure (£2.49 million) and an increase of 70 per cent on the 2003 figure (£1.72 million).

SOURCE

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What many also don't realise is that is is not just the cost to the NHS through its emergency services and treatment of alcohol related decease. Its also the effects and costs related to damages cause through antisocial behaviour and also the loss of work generated income when those feeling the effects cannot work due to illness.

‘Figures today show an ever-growing bill to the NHS, which currently stands at £2.7bn a year, including £1bn on accident and emergency services. £2.7bn equates to £90 for every taxpayer. This is part of a wider cost to society from alcohol of between £17 billion and £22 billion per annum.’ (Prime Ministers Office)

Its this outcome of research that is the reason that am questioning a designer morass when it comes to designing for alcohol. Especially when alcohol costs more to society than tobacco.

‘Research commissioned by ASH has shown that the total cost to society (in England) is approximately £12.9 billion a year. This includes the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking in England, which is approximately £2 billion a year.’ (ASH, 2014: p1)

This shows that were smoking costed society around 13 billion a year, alcohol cost society around 17 billion a year with increasing additions to tax payers.

I just find it weird how Designers say they will not work with tobacco companies due to principles relating to the effect of ones health and society, yet disregard the same types of issues when it comes to working with alcohol companies.