Brits blinkered to the impact of binge drinking

Despite official figures showing that 39% of men and 22% of women drink more than the recommended daily alcohol intake at least once a week, the 'Health Uncovered' research indicates that just 12% of Brits have worried about the effects of drinking too much on their health in the last 3 months.

Furthermore, despite alcohol related deaths almost doubling in the last 15 years and drink-related hospital admissions reaching record levels, Brits are less concerned about the impact of excessive alcohol consumption than other health issues such as lack of exercise and sleep, food additives and stress. Brits are in denial over the impact that drinking too much has on their health, according to new research by Legal & General as part of its Health Uncovered Index.

As part of the Health Uncovered Index, Legal & General asked a representative GB sample of over 4,500 adults to identify their key health and wellbeing concerns over the last three months. The research, which is now in its fourth phase2, has shown a consistently low level of concern over the impacts of drinking too much on health.

Key Findings

Men in Denial: With official statistics showing that 22% of men and 9% of women binge drink, the Health Uncovered research shows that men are the most likely to be in denial. The percentage of men concerned at 14% is a third less then the actual percentage of men that are binge drinking. Yet the percentage of women concerned about binge drinking matches the percentage in the official stats that do binge drink at 9%.

Youth have reason to be concerned: With heavy drinking most common among young people, 32% of men and 24% of women aged 16 to 24, the Health Uncovered research reveals younger Brits to be the most concerned. 24% of people under 20 and 18% of people aged 20 to 29 expressed a concern for drinking too much in the last 3 months, compared to 7% of over 50 year olds.

Binge drinking at university: With access to cheap alcohol, full time students appear to be very worried about the effects of drinking too much on their health – over double at 26% expressing a concern compared to 12% nationally.

Full time workers worried: Perhaps turning to drink to escape the stresses of their jobs, full time workers are more likely to express a concern for their health due to their alcohol intake at 14% compared with part time workers at11% or unemployed people at10%.

No north-south divide: Despite a north-south divide in binge drinking revealed by the Centre of Public Health research, Legal & General’s research shows that Brits low level of concern is widespread across the UK, 12% in the north and 11% in the south, so not reflecting the regional differences in actual alcohol intake.

Links to other health concerns: Those who expressed a concern for their health because they drank too much in the last three months also expressed an above average concern for their health due to not getting enough exercise (64% compared to 47% nationally), not being able to quit smoking (22% compared to 12% nationally), not getting enough sleep (57% compared to 42% nationally), feeling depressed (39% compared to 24% nationally) and not having time to follow a healthy diet (26% compared to 15% nationally).

Chris Rolland, Managing Director at Legal & General’s Healthcare business commented: “With Christmas just around the corner, many Brits will be tempted to drink more alcohol, more frequently over the coming weeks. The record levels of alcohol related illnesses being reported in British hospitals and the low level of concern of drinking too much expressed by our research findings would suggest that there is a gap in Brits’ understanding of the effect drinking too much can have on our health. Particularly at this time of year, a greater awareness of the recommended guidelines on sensible drinking and the health implications if these limits are exceeded may help bridge the gap.

Legal & General’s Health Uncovered Index is part of an ongoing initiative to understand the concerns of the British public and it is apparent that the health concerns vary, reflecting our individual lifestyle. But by having a good understanding of the various health risks we face, such as the effects of excess drinking, we can make informed choices to counter and ease possible health worries – yet still raise a glass to toast our continued good health!”