YOUNG people are often over-represented for their alcohol consumption.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However according to a report released by NSW Health, daily drinking is the highest for people over 65 years and lowest for people aged 16 to 24 years.
The Lyndon Community deputy CEO Dr Julaine Allan said habit was a factor for people over 65 years and this was a risk.
“People in this age group can sometimes be more affected by alcohol and have falls and trips,” she said.
“This is because it combines with medications they’re taking.”
NSW Health chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said one in seven people aged over 65 drank alcohol daily.
“Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the main preventable public health problems in Australia, with alcohol use noted as the leading contributor to the burden of disease in Australia for people 25 to 44 years of age,” Dr Chant said.
“It not only affects the drinker but can also contribute to relationship and family problems, public intoxication, and other criminal offences. Alcohol use also increases the likelihood and extent of aggressive behaviour.”
According to the report, people who live in areas outside of major cities are at a greater risk.
“There’s definitely higher rates of risky drinking in rural areas across all age groups,”
“There’s definitely higher rates of risky drinking in rural areas across all age groups,” Dr Allan said.
“It’s a cultural thing. I think it’s changing but not as much as it is in the city.”
According to the report, the number of high school students who drank alcohol in the past 12 months dropped from 63.5 per cent in 2005 to 43.7 percent in 2014.
Alcohol-related hospitalisations have also decreased over the past nine years.