Citation

Calabria B, Doran CM, Vos T, Shakeshaft AP, Hall W. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Public Health 2010; 34(Suppl 1): S47-S51.

Affiliation

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. (b.calabria@unsw.edu.au)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Public Health Association of Australia, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1753-6405.2010.00553.x

PMID

20618294

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the burden of alcohol-related harm and underlying factors of this harm, by age and sex, for Indigenous and general population Australians. METHODS: Population attributable fractions are used to estimate the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for alcohol-related disease and injury. The DALYs were converted to rates per 1,000 by age and sex for the Indigenous and general populations. RESULTS: Homicide and violence rates were much higher for Indigenous males: greatest population difference was for 30-44 years, Indigenous rate 8.9 times higher. Rates of suicide were also greater: the largest population difference was for 15-29 years, Indigenous rate 3.9 times higher. Similarly, for Indigenous females, homicide and violence rates were much higher: greatest population difference was for 30-44 years, Indigenous rate 18.1 times higher. Rates of suicide were also greater: the largest population difference was for 15-29 years, Indigenous rate 5.0 times higher. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption and associated harms are of great concern for Indigenous Australians across all ages. Violent alcohol-related harms have been highlighted as a major concern. Implications: To reduce the disproportionate burden of alcohol-related harm experienced by Indigenous Australians, targeted interventions should include the impact on families and communities and not just the individual.

Language: en