Research out today (18 November) reveals that Britons drink more alcohol than many other nations around the world. Information gathered by private health care provider Bupa compared data from across a range of countries including America, Australia, China, Spain and Mexico.
One of the reasons is thought to be alcohol playing a central part of UK culture. However, this level of consumption leaves Brits more at risk of associated illnesses like liver disease, breast and mouth cancers as well as the social impacts felt by over-drinking.
With 10 million adults drinking more than the recommended guidelines it’s easy to see just how widespread the issue is. But attitudes as to how we can improve health vary significantly from country to country. The Report, which also established key comparators on health, weight and wellbeing asked participants who should be responsible for ensuring people become more healthy. 
With 10 million adults drinking more than the recommended guidelines it’s easy to see just how widespr
ead the issue is.
Internationally 67% of people felt that individuals should be responsible for ensuring their health but in the UK the vast majority (88%) felt this was the case. This creates a delicate situation for policy makers and employers. Over recent years in the UK significant advances have been made with public health, most notably with smoking and road safety. In both these cases public opinion shifted against cigarettes and it has become increasingly unacceptable to drink drive, or to travel without a seatbelt. However, the major advance in all of these issues was the implementation of legal measures to prohibit them.
Within the communities and the workplace too, we see the need to increase health and wellbeing. In both these arenas it is the combination of personal engagement and clear parameters that is likely to have most effect. And there’s plenty to gain from the approach. Alcohol related illness and lost productivity is estimated to cost the UK economy £6.4bn each year.
What can be done to stem the tide?
Individuals certainly have a key role in determining their own health and with many issues the answer is ‘moderation in all things’ – it’s not radical, but is based in pretty sound logic. After-all, we all know the effect of eating too much. But with drinking it can be harder to see the impact. Yes, increased weight is a sign that you may be drinking too much, or you may notice it causing bad skin or irritability. It’s much harder to see what’s going on inside. Often the increased risks of liver disease or cancer are unseen until drinking patterns have become well established.
With drinking it can be harder to see the impact. But every journey starts with that first step and employers and individuals will have greatest success if they start that process together. Keeping a drinks diary or deciding certain days are ‘alcohol-free’ can make you feel more in control, and employers can play their bit encouraging staff to be healthy. What about a staff meal rather than a team trip to the pub, fruit instead of biscuits in the office, and vouchers as rewards rather than a bottle of fizz?
With trends showing that alcohol related health and social problems are increasingly entrenched it is certainly worth considering the options available to stem the tide and create a better chance for our societies.
