October 2019
Alcohol industry-funded websites ‘put pregnant women at risk’
A study from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has found that alcohol industry-funded bodies may increase health risk to pregnant women by publishing misleading information on their websites.
Researchers compared information on alcohol consumption and fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding on the websites of 23 alcohol industry-funded bodies and 19 public health organisations.
The study found that industry–funded organisations were significantly less likely than independent public health websites to provide information on foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and less likely to advise that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
Cuts to alcohol duty linked to 2,000 additional deaths in England
A new report from the Sheffield Alcohol Research Group, commissioned by the Institute of Alcohol Studies, found that almost 2,000 people in England, and 250 in Scotland, have died as a result of recent government cuts to alcohol duty. Tax on alcohol has been reduced in real-terms in five of the last six Budgets, and as a consequence, there are estimated to have been over 100,000 additional crimes, 500,000 additional days of work lost and over 61,000 additional hospital admissions at a cost to the NHS of £341 million. The report also found that reintroducing the duty escalator, which ensured that tax rates rose by 2% above inflation each year, could reverse these trends. A duty escalator in place until 2032 is estimated to save over 4,700 lives.
Survey reveals NE parents’ views on alcohol and childhood
Three quarters of North East parents think it’s important to talk to children about alcohol by the age of 14. And 6/10 don’t think it is acceptable to give children a sip of alcohol before the age of 15. The latest survey findings from Balance come as the North East played host to a major conference exploring the issues around children, teenagers and alcohol and the global pressures the young generation is under to drink. The “Alcohol Free Childhood – Global Pressures to Local Action” conference was held in Newcastle with attendance from around 130 professionals working in health, local authorities, children’s services and police. The conference explored the global pressures on children, such as social media and how alcohol companies have been exposed for blasting out advertising messages online to under-age drinkers using paid influencer role models, teaching them that drinking is cool.
Speakers included Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health at Gateshead Council, Colin Shevills Director of Balance, Dr Nathan Critchlow, the University of Stirling, Dr Eric Carlin, Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and Professor David Jernigan, Boston University.
C3 Foundation Europe wins award
AHA Member, C3 Foundation Europe, has won the Charity Today Health & Social Care Award at the annual ceremony held in Peterborough.
Alcohol Charter blogs
The Alcohol Charter is running a blog campaign from 16 September to 4 November, with two blogs published each week on the Alcohol Charter website. The Alcohol Charter sets out effective and workable policies to reduce the harm caused by alcohol. Supporting organisations have written blogs which highlight the need for each policy in the Charter to be introduced. Please share the blogs with your networks and on social media.
Events
Understanding the impact of parental alcohol use on children and others
Insightful Families
31 October, Highgate, London
12 November, Alexander Palace, London
Insightful Families is a new service in Haringey supporting families where alcohol may be a concern. They are holding three free conferences for professionals working with children and families in Haringey. The training and tools will help to support the identification of early warning signs of alcohol misuse and parental conflict.
At the conference you will have the chance to:
- Hear more about the impact of alcohol use on children from experienced speakers
- Discuss how we can support families who are impacted by alcohol
- Take away practical resources to use in your work
- Hear from those with lived experience of parental alcohol use
- Engage in networking opportunities
Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please book onto one date via Eventbrite.
Alcohol Awareness Week
Alcohol Change UK
11-17 November 2019
Alcohol Awareness Week is taking place from 11-17 November on the theme ‘Alcohol and me’. You can find out more and sign up to receive free resources here.
Alcohol and addiction: policies, strategies and competencies
Medical Council on Alcohol Symposium
13 November 2019, BMA House, London
This year’s MCA Symposium is taking place on the 13th of November 2019 at the BMA. The full day programme will cover the topic of alcohol and health from a number of perspectives, including the relationship between addiction and alcohol, educating medical students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, student mental health, training in addiction medicine and alcohol and the liver. Professor Nick Sheron is this year’s Max Glatt Memorial lecturer. Book here.
Men and Alcohol Seminar Series
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) and the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS) are jointly hosting a series of seminars relating to Men and Alcohol, the upcoming dates are:
Men, Alcohol and Marketing – November 22, 2019 – London
Men, Alcohol and Health – January 24, 2020 – Edinburgh
Men and Alcohol: What’s Next – March 20, 2020 – London
The aim of these seminars is to bring together academics, health professionals, policy makers, media and members of the public to discuss with a critical perspective topics related to men and alcohol. The events are free of charge and open to all members of the public.
To learn more and register here.
Courses, Competitions, and Grants
The Innovation Fund
Change, Grow, Live
Ongoing
The innovation fund offers grants between £500 and £2500 for residents (aged 18+) or charities/not-for-profit groups looking to fund projects located within the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
Applications are welcomed from charities, voluntary or community group with an income of less than £100,000 per annum. The grant is available to support new and innovative ideas, but cannot be used to continue to fund projects that are ending.
The Big Lottery Fund has a number of useful documents on their website to help people plan their future projects. For more information email thealcoholservice.info@cgl.org.uk.
Spectrum Learn & Develop RCGP Certificate in the Management of Alcohol Problems in Primary Care L1
Spectrum Learn and Develop and RCGP
14 November 2019
Focusing on: identifying alcohol-related harm and harmful and dependent drinking; diagnosing the severity of alcohol dependence; understanding the treatment options; developing skills to treat problem drinking; and delivering enhanced services for problem drinkers. Book online or contact 01924 311405 or sld@spectrum-cic.nhs.uk for further information.