Noah Vinter
Alcohol is deeply ingrained in New Zealand's social fabric, with drinking being a common feature of social engagements. While the overall alcohol consumption in the country has decreased, hazardous drinking patterns persist, with around 16% of the population engaging in risky drinking behaviours in 2022/23. This trend has dire consequences, with an estimated 600 to 800 New Zealanders dying annually from alcohol-related causes, making it a leading behavioural cause of death among those aged 15-49. The impact of alcohol extends beyond health, with alcohol-impaired driving and violent crimes also taking a toll on society.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths per year | 600-800 |
| Deaths per day | 2 |
| Deaths among men | Twice as many as women |
| Deaths among Māori | 34 per 100,000 |
| Deaths among non-Māori | 14 per 100,000 |
| Alcohol-related road deaths | 1 in 5 fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017 |
| Alcohol-related injuries | 15% of serious crashes and 10% of minor crashes |
| Alcohol-related offences | 2 in 5 violent interpersonal offences in 2014 |
| Alcohol-related ED presentations in Auckland | 7% of all presentations from Nov 2017 to Oct 2018 |
| Average consumption per drinker over 15 | 8.7L per year |
| Hazardous drinking | 16% of New Zealanders in 2022/23 |
| Alcohol abuse or dependence | 4.2% of the population in 2006 |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related deaths by cause
Alcohol-related deaths in New Zealand are caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, cancer, and other chronic diseases. In 2007, around 800 New Zealanders aged 0-79 years died due to alcohol, representing 5.4% of all deaths under 80 years old. This equates to more than one in every 20 deaths in this age group or at least two deaths per day. The death rate was higher for men, with 23 deaths per 100,000 compared to 10 deaths per 100,000 for women. The rate for Māori was disproportionately higher at 34 deaths per 100,000.
Injuries were the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths, accounting for 43% of all fatalities. This includes road traffic accidents, with drunk driving being a significant factor. Alcohol was also found to be a factor in 1 in 5 fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017. It is important to note that for every 100 alcohol-impaired drivers or riders who died on New Zealand roads, 37 of their passengers and 19 sober road users also lost their lives.
Alcohol-related injuries also extend beyond road accidents, with a significant number of emergency department presentations involving alcohol. In Auckland City Hospital, for example, 7% of emergency department presentations were alcohol-related, with a higher proportion occurring during nights, weekends, public holidays, and summer months.
Cancer was the second leading cause of alcohol-attributable deaths, accounting for 30% of all fatalities in 2007. This was higher for women, with alcohol being a contributing factor in 44% of female cancer deaths compared to 23% in men. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of seven types of cancers, and it is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating sufficient evidence of its cancer-causing effects in humans.
Chronic diseases, such as liver disease and pneumonia, accounted for 27% of alcohol-related deaths. These conditions are a result of long-term alcohol abuse and can have severe consequences for an individual's health.
In addition to the direct health impacts, alcohol also contributes to suicide ideation, attempts, and completion. In 2017, over one-third of people who died by suicide in New Zealand had alcohol in their system. Alcohol can impact mental health, and the relationship between mental health and alcohol consumption is complex, with drinking being both a cause and a coping mechanism for mental health issues.
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Alcohol-related road deaths
In 2019, 160 people died in crashes where alcohol and/or drugs were a factor, and between 2017 and 2019, for every 100 impaired drivers or riders who died, 27 of their passengers and 32 other road users also lost their lives. These figures represent a broader trend, as alcohol was found to be a factor in 20% of fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017, as well as 15% of serious injury crashes and 10% of minor injury crashes.
The impact of alcohol-related road deaths is not limited to the loss of life but also extends to the emotional and financial toll on those affected. The New Zealand government has recognised the severity of this issue and has implemented measures to address it. The Road to Zero strategy, for instance, aims to reduce the road toll by 40% by 2030, focusing on stricter drink-driving laws and increased enforcement through random breath tests.
Despite these efforts, alcohol-related road deaths continue to rise. In 2022, there were 111 fatalities involving drivers over the legal alcohol limit, a significant increase from the 53 drunk-driving deaths recorded in 2013. This trend is concerning, and it highlights the need for further action to address the relationship between alcohol and driving in New Zealand.
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Alcohol-related emergency department presentations
Alcohol misuse has a significant impact on New Zealand's emergency departments (EDs). Research from Auckland City Hospital found that among 73,381 ED presentations, 5,130 (7%) were alcohol-related. These presentations were predominantly by males (65%) aged 20-39 (52%). Alcohol-related presentations were more common during the night, weekends, public holidays, and summer months. Furthermore, 16% of injury-related ED presentations were linked to alcohol consumption.
Alcohol-related ED presentations often arrive via emergency services and have longer hospital stays than non-alcohol-related presentations. The Counties Manukau District Health Board reported 4,217 'alcohol-involved ED encounters' in 2018, accounting for 3.6% of all Middlemore ED presentations that year. This highlights the strain that alcohol misuse places on New Zealand's healthcare system, particularly in busy urban hospitals.
The high number of alcohol-related ED presentations has prompted studies to investigate methods for detecting and managing these cases effectively. The impact of alcohol-related presentations extends beyond the individual patient, as it affects the overall functioning of the emergency department and can delay care for other patients. Early identification of alcohol-related presentations is crucial for appropriate triage and treatment, especially in busy urban hospitals with limited resources.
Additionally, alcohol-related presentations often require a unique approach due to the complex nature of alcohol misuse. ED staff need to address not only the immediate medical concerns but also the underlying issue of harmful alcohol consumption. This may involve brief interventions, referrals to addiction services, or social support, depending on the patient's needs and the resources available in the community.
In conclusion, alcohol misuse significantly contributes to emergency department presentations in New Zealand, particularly among young adult males. These presentations have a notable impact on the healthcare system, requiring innovative detection methods and tailored management strategies. Addressing alcohol misuse through public health initiatives and improving access to addiction services could help reduce the burden on emergency departments and improve health outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
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Alcohol consumption by demographic
Alcohol consumption in New Zealand varies across different demographic groups. While the country has seen a decrease in overall alcohol consumption, hazardous drinking remains prevalent among certain populations.
Gender
Men in New Zealand are more likely to consume alcohol than women. In 2017/18, 83% of men consumed alcohol in the past year, compared to 75% of women. Men also exhibit higher rates of hazardous drinking, with almost twice as many alcohol-related deaths as women.
Ethnicity
Alcohol consumption rates vary among different ethnic groups in New Zealand. Māori have higher rates of alcohol consumption, with 80% reporting past-year drinking in 2017/18. Pasifika and Asian individuals are the least likely to consume alcohol, with higher rates of abstinence among these groups. However, hazardous drinking is prevalent among Pasifika individuals who do drink.
Age
Alcohol consumption patterns also differ by age group. Individuals aged 15-17 and those over 75 are more likely to abstain from alcohol. In contrast, young adults aged 15-29 have higher rates of hazardous drinking, with road traffic injuries being the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths in this age group.
Socioeconomic Status
Alcohol consumption is influenced by socioeconomic status in New Zealand. Individuals living in the least deprived neighbourhoods have higher rates of alcohol consumption, with 86% reporting past-year drinking. In contrast, one-third of adults living in the most deprived neighbourhoods are non-drinkers.
Geographical Location
Alcohol consumption patterns may also vary across different geographical regions within New Zealand. While specific data on regional variations was not readily available, it is likely that cultural norms and socioeconomic factors unique to certain regions may influence drinking patterns.
While the above factors provide insights into alcohol consumption by demographic in New Zealand, it is important to recognize that drinking patterns can be influenced by multiple intersecting factors. For example, the intersection of gender and ethnicity may result in unique drinking patterns among Māori men compared to non-Māori men. Additionally, other factors such as education level, occupation, and urban or rural residence could further nuance our understanding of alcohol consumption by demographic.
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Alcohol-related harm
The health consequences of alcohol use are extensive. The World Health Organisation (WHO) identifies 60 different health-related disorders linked to alcohol, including an increased risk of over 200 health conditions, both chronic and acute. Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, causing cancer in humans, and contributing to 30% of all alcohol-attributable deaths in 2007. It is also linked to damage to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys. In New Zealand, alcohol-related harm disproportionately affects certain demographics, with Māori exhibiting higher death rates and males being more likely to suffer alcohol-related harm than females.
Alcohol plays a role in many injury-based presentations at emergency departments, ranging from 18% to 35% overall, and increasing to 60%-70% during the weekends. Research at Auckland City Hospital found that 7% of emergency department presentations were alcohol-related, with males aged 20-39 being the majority. Alcohol is also a factor in road crashes, with alcohol involvement in one in five fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017, and in 15% of serious injury crashes.
The social and economic impacts of alcohol-related harm are significant. Alcohol is linked to family violence, with two in five violent interpersonal offences in 2014 involving alcohol. It is also associated with sexual offences, with one in five sexual offenders having consumed alcohol prior to the offence. The financial cost of hazardous alcohol use is substantial, estimated at $4.9 billion in 2005/06.
While there is a general trend of decreasing alcohol consumption in New Zealand, hazardous drinking patterns persist, underscoring the need for ongoing awareness and interventions to mitigate alcohol-related harm.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that between 600 and 800 New Zealanders die each year from alcohol-related causes, with some sources citing more than 800 deaths per year.
Alcohol is a factor in many injury-related deaths in New Zealand. It was involved in 18% to 35% of all injury-based presentations at emergency departments, and this figure rises to between 60% and 70% during the weekend. Alcohol was also found to be a factor in 1 in 5 fatal crashes between 2015 and 2017.
Alcohol use increases the risk of over 200 health conditions, including at least 60 different health-related disorders, according to the World Health Organization. It is linked to an increased risk of cancer, with alcohol identified as a Group 1 carcinogen. It is also associated with damage to the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys.
In 2022/23, around 16% of New Zealanders, or 670,000 adults aged 15 and over, had a hazardous drinking pattern. This represents a decrease from the previous year, 2021/22, where the prevalence was 18.7%. Men are more likely to engage in hazardous drinking, with males 1.99 times more likely to be hazardous drinkers than females.
Alcohol is a common fixture at social engagements in New Zealand, and it is considered polite to offer an alcoholic drink at social gatherings. Abstaining from alcohol at social events may be met with surprise or disapproval. However, there is also a perception that hazardous drinking or binge drinking is an issue in New Zealand, with some individuals drinking in a manner that carries risks to their health.
