The AHA works to:
- Highlight the rising levels of alcohol-related harm in the UK
- Propose evidence-based solutions to reduce the harm caused by alcohol
- Influence decision-makers to take positive action to address alcohol harm
Highlighting the rising levels of alcohol-related harm in the UK
Alcohol is harming our health. It is now the third biggest risk factor to health behind tobacco and high blood pressure. Alcohol has been linked directly to around 200 health conditions including seven forms of cancer, as well as heart disease and stroke.
Despite the known link between alcohol consumption and ill-health, alcohol harm continues to rise. Hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease alone rose 76% between 2008 and 2018.
Even at relatively small amounts, alcohol is toxic.
Professor of Public Health Nutrition Annie Anderson, University of Dundee, Commission on Alcohol Harm Report
Every day, 70 people die from alcohol-related causes in the UK. In 2018/19, 1.2 million people were admitted to hospital in England for alcohol-related causes, according to NHS Digital.
The impact of these stark figures will be felt by individuals, families and communities across the whole of the UK.
Proposing evidence-based solutions to reduce the harm caused by alcohol
The impact of drinking on public health and our communities means that it is vital to tackle alcohol harm across our society.
Public health and community safety should be given priority in all public policy-making about alcohol.
Health First: An evidence-based alcohol strategy for the UK
Evidence clearly shows which policies are most effective at tackling alcohol harm. The AHA promotes these evidence-based policies as set out in Health First: An evidence-based alcohol strategy for the UK.
Our policy priorities for addressing alcohol harm include:
- A minimum price per unit of alcohol across the whole UK
- Health warnings and nutritional information on labels
- Restrictions on alcohol marketing to protect children and vulnerable people
- A fairer and healthier alcohol duty system
Influencing decision-makers to address alcohol harm
The AHA advocates for evidence-based policies to tackle alcohol harm through public campaigning, research and working directly with law-makers.
By highlighting the harm alcohol does to our society, we hope to see effective policies that will tackle this harm and transform lives.