Alcohol causes more death and illness among the poor, study finds
Drinking heavily is more harmful to the poorest people in society who are at greater risk of illness or death because of alcohol consumption, according to a new medical study.
Researchers in Scotland found there is a marked link between socio-economic status and the harm caused by drinking alcohol excessively.
Researchers taking part in the study found increased alcohol consumption was “disproportionately harmful” to the poorest in society.
Compared with light drinkers in advantaged areas, exces- sive drinkers were seven times at risk of an increase in alcohol harm, according to the findings published yesterday in the medical journal The Lancet Public Health.
This contrasted with excessive drinkers in deprived areas, who were 11 times at risk of an increase.
However, until now it was unclear whether those were as a result of differences in drinking or as a result of other factors.
Lead author Dr Vittal Katikireddi, of the University of Glasgow, said: “Experiencing poverty may impact on health, not only through leading an unhealthy lifestyle but also as a direct consequence of poor material circumstances and psychosocial stresses.
“Poverty may, therefore, reduce resilience to disease, predisposing people to greater health harms of alcohol.”