Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Lincolnshire are taking part in a national pilot urging people to think about their alcohol consumption following the finding of a link between drinking and up to 60 medical conditions.
The pilot will see leaflets go out to thousands of households in these areas, which contain details on how to get a free booklet to help calculate your consumption and whether it could be adding up to a health risk.
Today, young men drink twice what their grandfathers drank 50 years ago and since 1979 alcohol-related deaths have almost tripled among men and almost doubled among women.
The acceptable limit of alcohol consumption for men is 3 to 4 units a day, the equivalent of less than two pints of ordinary lager. For women, it’s 2 to 3 units a day, the same as a standard glass of wine (175ml). Many people are surprised by how little this is.
The project, delivered by NHS Derby City, Nottingham City, Leicester City, Lincolnshire and the regional strategic health authority, NHS East Midlands, aims to raise awareness of the long-term dangers of regular drinking and calls for the region’s residents to think about how much alcohol they consume.
A third of women in the East Midlands drink more than their daily limit, with 14 per cent drinking more than double (classed as binge drinking). Nearly half of men in the region exceed the daily limit, with one in four drinking more than double. These people are putting their health at risk now and in the future.
There are many short term health risks associated with harmful drinking including; depression and anxiety, poor skin and weight gain, problems conceiving - in men this can mean a lower sperm count and for women regularly consuming above the recommended daily limit may cause irregular periods.
Over time your body is put under unnecessary pressure from consistently high alcohol intake and you become more susceptible to terminal conditions such as: mouth cancer, breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.
As part of the campaign, there will also be adverts in local papers, posters in GP surgeries, and radio adverts. These will all be aimed at dispelling some of the myths around the amount of units in alcohol drinks.
David Walker, Director of Public Health for NHS East Midlands said: “Many of us like to have the occasional drink. But whether it’s a few drinks after work, a couple of glasses with dinner, or a few cans in front of the TV, research shows that there’s a proven link between regular drinking and up to 60 different medical conditions.
"Nearly 70,000 people in the East Midlands were admitted to hospitals with alcohol-related harm in 2006/07. This campaign is all about helping people understand how many units are in their favourite drinks, and helping them to keep an eye on their intake for the good of their long-term health.”
Take the first step to a healthier life by ordering a free booklet on 0800 917 8282 or visiting www. drinkcheck.nhs.uk, to find out how you can get help to cut down, without missing out on the fun you have with family and friends.
For more information please contact Gaby Hateley on 0115 971 2797 or gaby.hateley@coi.gsi.gov.uk
