Health

Alcohol is damaging our health - the facts:

• The North East has the record highest rate of alcohol related deaths in England.

• Alcohol is the number one risk factor for ill health and premature death among males aged 15-59 years.

• Alcohol causes more deaths worldwide than HIV/AIDS, violence or tuberculosis.

• In the UK 27% of young male and 15% of young female deaths were caused by alcohol.

• According to a report by the Royal College of Psychiatrists alcohol causes much more harm than illegal drugs like heroin and cannabis.

• The North East has the highest rate of alcohol related hospital admissions in England with 2,406 per 100,000 population.

• The North East has the second highest rate of deaths from chronic liver disease in England.

• In 2009/10 the North East Ambulance Service recorded 10,063 ambulance journeys where alcohol was a factor, almost twice as many cases as all other drug overdoses combined.

• Alcohol is the biggest cause of liver disease (50-60%). Liver disease is the fifth most common cause of death in England.

• Alcohol is the second biggest cause of cancer (in people over 35) after smoking.

• Of the 3,004 patients who ended up at emergency departments following an episode of self-harm, alcohol was cited as a contributory factor in 40% of cases.

• Alcohol is the third most common cause of preventable death.