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New research from the University of Otago, Wellington has found alcohol-attributable mortality was twice as high for Māori than non-Māori.
The study published today by Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora found 901 deaths, 1250 cancers, 29,282 hospitalisations, and 128,963 ACC claims were attributable to alcohol in 2018.
Of the deaths, 42 per cent were from cancer, 33 per cent from injuries, and 25 per cent from conditions such as liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis and epilepsy.
Males accounted for the vast majority of health harms.
These health conditions impact even lower-level drinkers, with two standard drinks per week increasing the risk of developing several types of cancer including breast and colon cancer.
Co-author Dr Anja Mizdrak says the report highlights the substantial preventable health burden alcohol causes.
It outlines policy avenues for reducing the alcohol-attributable health burden, including placing restrictions on alcohol marketing and availability; increasing excise tax; and implementing a national screening and brief intervention programme.
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