Alcohol Consumption Levels in Australia - Case Study Example

Research Report Name: Course: Instructor: Institution: City/State: Date: Research Report Introduction Misuse of alcohol has been termed as one of the leading causes of drug-induced harm in Australia. A variety of pressures such as economic conditions, changes in moral and social factors have been critical towards evolution of alcohol consumption culture in Australia. Consumption of alcohol in Australia achieved a peak of an estimated 9.8liters per capita as at 1982, before subsequent decline to 7.5liters between 1988 and 1993. in the year 1996 Australia was ranked 20th in terms of the overall per capita consumption of alcohol with Australians assumed to consume 7.5 liters absolute alcohol annually. In the year 1997, Australians were estimated to have undertaken consumption of an estimated 94.7 liters of beer, 18.4liters of wine and 1.36 liters per capita. Within the past decades, there has been increase in the overall focus on alcohol consumption levels in Australia. This can be attributed to the fact that increased incidences of alcohol misuse are related to a variety of acute health problems and other long-term harmful effects. Patterns of alcohol consumption are the distinctive behaviors of alcohol consumption that are inclusive alcohol consumption levels. In evaluation of patterns of drinking issues such as incidences of alcohol consumption and abuse; binge drinking on occasion; associated activities; personal traits of drinkers; types of alcoholic beverages consumed and drinking norms, culture and behavior can understood with ease. This would also provide information on the avenues that can be utilized towards controlling alcohol consumption in Australia especially amongst the youth. Literature Review Research reports such as the National Drug Strategy Household Survey are indicative of the presence of distinctive patterns of alcohol consumption across gender divides. The Australian Government Preventative Health Taskforce (2008) in a report titled National Preventative Health Taskforce notes that alcohol plays different roles in the modern Australian society. It is used as a link for social interactions and celebrations, a relaxant, a source of employment and revenue and tax revenues. Essential it is a critical part of Australian culture. The report is indicative that a majority of regular consumers of alcohol in Australia undertake this activity in moderation. It is estimated that 72.6% of the Australians consume alcohol at levels that do not expose them to long-term harmful effects. On the other hand, short-term consumption of alcohol at considerable harmful levels is a common feature in the Australian drinking culture. It is noted that 20.4% or one in five Australians consumes alcohol over the short term at considerable high-risk levels one day in a month. This infers that more than 42million Australians engage in occasional binge drinking annually. The overall levels of consumption of alcohol and drinking patterns and culture have not changed significantly over the past decade. There is an increased understanding amongst communities of the problems associated with excessive consumption of alcohol. The patterns of alcohol consumption in Australia are noted to contribute to substantial health costs amongst Australians. The report is also indicative that the excessive consumption of alcohol is responsible for an estimated 3.25 of the overall burden associated with injury and disease in Australia with 4.95 of victims presumed as males and 1.6% as females. Excessive consumption of alcohol is noted to have a number of negative outcomes such as deterioration of health, wellbeing of communities, families, and individuals; decline in workplace productivity, high healthcare costs; road accidents, damage to property and high costs associated with law enforcement and insurance administration. The overall costs associated with alcohol related problems for Australian communities are estimated to be in the range of $15billion annually. There is an increased concern amongst members of the communities leading to awareness over the associated diverse social and health effects over the consumption of alcohol. In understanding the incidence of excessive alcohol consumption in Australia, it is critical to evaluate the primary determinants of drinking patterns. Australia’s current national alcohol strategy notes that the drinking culture in the country is influenced by the interaction of a variety of factors. These factors include intangible social actors such as customs, norms, habits, whereas the tangible factors include economic, social, and physical availability of alcohol. This is also inclusive of issues such as marketing, promotion, age restrictions, pricing, outlets accessibility, and service practices. It is critical to note that there is no single factor or actor that is a primary determinant of excessive consumption of alcohol. The interaction of factors and actors such as poor health behaviors such as poor diets, smoking, drug abuse, inadequate exercise, and excessive consumption of alcohol interact to give rise to complex problems such as disease and injury. Cultural factors interact with social determinants and risk and protective factors to give rise to the high incidences of excessive consumption of alcohol in Australia. Prevention of alcohol related problems is a shared responsibility for society and all arms of the government. The federal and state governments should work towards enhancing the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy to ensure optimized efficient of the National Alcohol Strategy 2006–2009. This strategy was initially developed with input from industry players, civil society, government agencies, and community partners. This strategy focuses on key areas namely: I. Monitoring and review of all alcohol promotions II. Increasing and enhancing the levels of community awareness over the extent and effects of excessive consumption of alcohol III. Enhancing the enforcement of all liquor related policies and regulations IV. Providing support for community initiatives geared towards alcohol related problems V. Developing and implementing social marketing programs aimed at reduction of all alcohol related problems In both territory and state levels, alcohol policies and program responsibilities are inclusive of licensing regulations, law enforcement, and accessibility to treatment and education of alcohol abuse especially in institutions of education. Furthermore, it is noted that that a majority of outcomes of excessive consumption of alcohol are experienced at local community levels which infers that local governments assume a critical position towards providing support in terms of environmental planning, health, community development, youth services and other critical social functions. The Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy (2001) in a report titled Alcohol in Australia: Issues and Strategies notes of the presence of diverse differences in consumption of alcohol across gender, communities, and race. It notes that men usually start drinking at early ages as compared to their female counterparts. Additionally, women across all ages consume less alcohol as compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, the report is indicative that women are likely to be non-drinkers as compared to men. Australian men have shorter life spans compared to women because of the high incidences of alcohol and drug abuse resulting in issues such as suicide, injury and alcohol related diseases. Widespread alcohol related problems due to misuse and extreme violence are identified as major issues that should be addressed using appropriate and adequate regulations and health policies. Women are at high risk of suffering from both chronic and acute problems resulting from alcohol abuse as compared to men. Gender differences have been attributed to this diverse variation in consumption of alcohol between men and women. The World Health Organization (2008) report Strategies to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol: Report by the Secretariat notes that excessive consumption of alcohol is a primary factor that contributes to the high incidences of avoidable disease burdens and premature deaths around the world. The article provides a detailed account of the distinctive aspects that make up excessive consumption of alcohol. The article provides the harmful usage of alcohol is made of aspects namely volume consumed over time; cumulated alcohol amounts which is a predictor of alcohol related chronic illnesses, pattern of drinking; drinking context or circumstances; and quality of alcohol consumed. All these may influence the overall risks of both unintentional and intentional injuries, transmission of sexually transmitted or infectious diseases and ingestion of toxic substances associated with poor quality alcohol and more so regular consumption. Harmful and excessive drinking is considered an avoidable risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as liver cirrhosis, cancer and cardiovascular ailments and neuropsychiatric disorders. Other diseases such breast cancer lack adequate correlation between excessive alcohol consumption and risk. Intentional and unintentional injuries associated with prolonged excessive consumption of alcohol such as traffic accidents and suicides. The report also notes that a majority of alcohol related fatal injuries affect the youth given their propensity to engage in binge drinking. Vulnerable and high-risk groups have enhanced their susceptibility towards psychoactive, toxic and dependence inducing traits of alcohol. Countries with differing levels of development and efficiency of healthcare systems usually experience high incidences of problems resulting for alcohol abuse. Alcohol is the third leading cause of death and disability in developed countries after tobacco and blood pressure respectively. There is a growing awareness over the role of excessive consumption of alcohol in the spread of infection diseases and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS and STD/STIs because of unsafe sexual practices and the resulting interference of alcoholism with effectiveness of treatment regimens. Problems accruable from harmful use of alcohol are complex and multidimensional in nature given the presence of numerous differences such as consumption levels, drinking contexts, patterns that vary from one region to another. A variety of policies and strategies can be used depending on circumstances within a given region, the associated public healthcare system problems, and community needs. Evidence based practice can be utilized towards developing strategies that are focused on priority areas such as prevention and management. For such strategies and policies to be efficient and effective, the levels, context, and patterns of alcohol consumption should be taken into consideration and combined to ensure that they are targeted at a large population and vulnerable groups such as expectant mothers and the youth. Additionally, problems such as drink driving, alcohol induced violence and affected individuals should be targeted by policies. Alcohol policies, regulations, and action plans aimed at reduction of alcohol-induced problems should also take into consideration various critical issues such as the overall strength of evidence of these incidences, cultural sensitivity, contexts, adaptation towards local needs, sustainability and intersectoral avenues and monitoring and evaluation of alcohol related problems. Alcohol related harm and problems could be controlled and managed through enhanced political commitment and raising awareness; health sector efficiency and effectiveness; community involvement; drink driving countermeasures and policies; accessibility of alcohol; marketing and promotion of alcohol; pricing policies; harm reduction avenues; restriction of illegal and informal alcohol; and monitoring and assessment of the alcoholic beverages industry. Political Commitment and Raising Awareness Political involvement is needed towards establishment of concise alcohol strategies and policies that facilitate and provide clarity to the duties and responsibilities of all partners involved at various levels. Action plans at national, state and municipalities should be marked by clarity of objectives, targets, and strategies to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in adoption and implementation. Reports should be sourced from international, regional, national, and local levels to provide stakeholders, policy makers and the public. Establishment of a strong public awareness platform and supporting such activities is critical in ensuring continuity and sustainability of new policies and strategies towards alcohol and drug abuse. Health Sector Efficiency and Effectiveness Preventive measures by the health sector should include screening and brief interventions, which have been effective in reducing alcohol consumption, and related problems as noted from evidence based practice. Early stages identification, effective treatment in healthcare settings for alcohol related disorders is critical towards reduction of mortality and morbidity and improving wellbeing of affected parties. Effective treatment is achieved by sound policies in healthcare systems with a focus on prevention and adoption of evidence based practice and interventions. Community Involvement Community based actions that involves a variety of stakeholders can be effective in the reduction of incidences of harmful consumption of alcohol. Community involvement is important in settings where alcohol consumption is high, unrecorded and gives rise to various social problems such as violence in domestic settings, child abuse, public drunkenness and disorder, and sexual violence. Community involvement can also enhance recognition of alcohol-induced problems in communities, reduction of acceptance of public disorder and drunkenness and developing policies that suit communities with their distinctive contexts and cultures. This also contributes towards engagements and cooperation between community level agencies, healthcare institutions, and non-governmental organizations. Drink Driving Countermeasures and Policies Strategies geared towards reduction of incidences of drink driving can focus on direct measures towards deterrence, enacting policies that focus on establishment of safe driving environments and reduction of incidences of drink driving. Kenkel (1993) notes that establishing low alcohol limits is important towards reducing incidences of accidents associated with drink driving. Laws should be deterrents towards reducing incidences of drink driving its associated consequences. Accessibility of Alcohol Farrell, Manning & Finch (2003) note that availability of alcohol is limited through price regulation and strict distribution policies. Prices can be used as deterrents in ensuring that alcohol remains inaccessible to youths and vulnerable populations. In addition, restrictions in sale of alcohol such as age of consumers, types of retail outlets authorized to make sale of alcohol, limiting hours of alcohol consumption, licensing, and density of outlets and vendors can be effective in controlling alcoholism and related problems. Marketing and Promotion of Alcohol Naimi et al., (2007) note that marketing and promotion activities usually focus on specific market segments such as youthful drinkers. Controlling the volume, content, and placement of alcohol advertisements is critical in protection of adolescents and the entire youthful population from the pressures to engage in consumption of alcohol. Policies should be oriented towards control of marketing practices that seemingly focus on appeals of adolescents and children. Pricing Policies Price is a critical determinant in consumption of alcohol and more so the extent and level of alcohol induced problems. Kuo et al., (2003) provide evidence that tax changes influence the overall price of alcoholic beverages and the overall consumption and alcohol related problems. It becomes an issue of concern if alcoholic beverages are cheaper than non-alcoholic ones. The tax component is a critical means of controlling accessibility and availability of alcoholic beverages especially for vulnerable populations such as the youth. Monitoring and Assessment Developing effective, efficient, and adequate mechanisms for evaluation, assessment, and reporting are important towards monitoring the progress and efficiency of new policies in controlling alcohol related harm and consumption in various cultural contexts. Advanced information systems can provide optimization of surveillance activities and in the process curbing alcohol related problems and consumption especially amongst vulnerable populations. Conclusion A variety of pressures such as economic conditions, changes in moral and social factors have been critical towards evolution of alcohol consumption culture irrespective of cultural contexts. It is critical to note that no single factor or actor is a primary determinant of excessive consumption of alcohol. The interaction of factors and actors such as poor health behaviors such as poor diets, smoking, drug abuse, inadequate exercise, and excessive consumption of alcohol interact to give rise to complex problems such as disease and injury. Bibliography Australian Government Preventative Health Taskforce 2008, National Preventative Health Taskforce. Common Wealth of Australia: Victoria. Chesson H, Harrison P, Kassler WJ 2000, Sex under the influence: the effect of alcohol policy on sexually transmitted disease rates in the U.S. Journal of Law and Economics, vol.43, 215–37. Farrell S, Manning WG, Finch MD 2003, Alcohol dependence and the price of alcoholic beverages, Journal Health Economics, vol.22, No.1, 117– 47. Kenkel, DS 1993, Drinking, driving, and deterrence: the effectiveness and social costs of alternative policies, Journal of Law and Economics, vol.36, 877–911. Kuo M, Heeb JL, Gmel G, Rehm J., 2003. Does price matter? The effect of decreased price on spirits consumption in Switzerland, Alcohol Clin Exp Res, vol.27, no.4, 720 –5. Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy 2001, Alcohol in Australia: Issues and Strategies. Common Wealth of Australia: Victoria. Naimi TS, Brewer RD, Miller JW, Okoro C, Mehrotra C 2007, What do binge drinkers drink? Implications for alcohol control policy, Am J Prev Med, vol.33, 188 –93. Ponicki W, Holder HD, Gruenewald PRA 1997, Altering alcohol price by ethanol content: results from a Swedish tax policy in 1992, Addiction, vol.92, no.7, 859 –70. Wagenaar AC, Salois MJ, Komro KA 2009, Effects of beverage alcohol price and tax levels on drinking: a meta-analysis of 1003 estimates from 112 studies, Addiction, vol.104, 179 –90. World Health Organization 2008, Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol: Report by the Secretariat. 61st World Health Assembly: World Health Organization. Read More