Research shows a dramatic increase in the number of alcohol-related emergency visits

A new study shows a dramatic increase in the number of alcohol-related emergency department visits, especially for women, with a 175% increase in the number of alcohol-related visits among youth aged 25 to 25. 29 years. CMAJ (Journal of the Canadian Medical Association), shows an increase in alcohol – related emergency visits that occur much faster than the overall use of ED.

These increases are consistent with data showing an increase in average weekly alcohol consumption in Ontario and higher rates of excessive alcohol consumption in Canada during the study period, particularly among seniors. women. "

Lead author, Dr. Daniel Myran, Family Physician and Public Health Resident, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario

The study included 765,346 emergency visits to 480,611 people (32% of them women) in Ontario, the largest province in Canada, due to its alcohol consumption between 2003 and 2016 Some observations:

• Women who visited the emergency because of alcohol were more likely than men (9%) to be under 19 years of age (17%).
• The highest rates of alcohol-related visits were among women aged 15 to 24 and men aged 45 to 54 years.
• Among people aged 25 to 29, visits to alcohol increased by 240% for women and 145% for men.
• Alcohol emergency visits resulted in higher hospital admission rates (13%) than general emergency visits (10%).
• Neighborhoods in the lowest income bracket had more than twice as many alcohol emergency visits as those in the highest income bracket.

"Since 2007, the rate of emergency alcoholism visits among women under the legal age has exceeded that of underage men," says Dr. Myran, who also follows a training course in public health. The Ottawa Hospital and the Bruyère Research Institute. "We need a better understanding of the risk factors for the harms of alcohol in young people and the bades to limit these increases."

These results are consistent with data showing an increase in alcohol-related ED visits in the United States (47% between 2006 and 2014) and in England (51% between 2002 and 2014). Data from the United States has also revealed increasing disparities in the harm done by alcohol between high and low income individuals. Although the data in this study also highlight the disproportionate health burden of alcohol on low-income individuals, this disparity has not increased over time. The Canadian study is notable for the fact that there is less alcohol consumption among low-income groups in Canada than in the United States, perhaps because of policies that prevent the sale of low-cost alcohol. in Canada.

"There could be a growing need for support and services for people, especially young people, who have high-risk alcohol use, particularly in light of recent changes in the way they are used. Alcohol is sold in Ontario, including making alcohol cheaper and easier to buy, "said Dr. Myran.

The study was funded by the Bruyère Research Institute as part of the Large Data Research Program and by ICES, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. ; Ontario. The uOttawa ICES sub-unit is also supported by the Ottawa Hospital Foundation and the University of Ottawa.

To minimize harm, "federal and provincial governments should use a public health approach to maximize benefits and minimize harm," writes Dr. Sheryl Spithoff, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Women's College Hospital, to Toronto, in a related comment. "Alcohol should only be available for sale in approved and strictly supervised establishments, the number of hours of which is limited." Taxes and minimum prices should be used to reduce the damage badociated with alcohol. The increase in tax revenues could be used to fund vital provincial programs. "