The Annual Director of Public Health Report highlights the local impact of rising alcohol consumption and sets out recommendations for how residents can better understand and manage their own drinking behaviour or access support.
The report reveals that alcohol consumption is increasing across the Royal Borough in line with national levels with one in four residents drinking above the recommended national guidelines, and one in eight binge drinking.
Beyond increases in some cancers, heart and liver diseases and stroke, alcohol misuse also creates wider social issues such as domestic violence and increased costs to policing and social care.
The actions in the report are wide-ranging and include setting up an Alcohol Harm Reduction Stakeholder Group, strengthening partnerships across health, licensing, social care and voluntary organisations, co-producing support directly with communities and targeting resources for the greatest long-term effects.
The Royal Borough’s Director of Public Health, Sara Blackmore, said: “Alcohol harm is often hidden but its ripple effects touch individuals, families, communities, and public services.
“This report is a call to action. By joining forces with our local NHS, voluntary sector, and residents we can focus on prevention to build healthier, fairer health foundations for everyone. We can’t control what’s happening nationally, but we can locally so have a real opportunity to make a lasting difference.”
Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Heath and Housing Services, Cllr Catherine del Campo, said: “The consequences of increased alcohol consumption extend far beyond health, it impacts housing, education, and job opportunities.
“Giving residents the right support at the right time is key to not only improving their wellbeing but also easing pressure on public services as well as strengthening our communities.”
The Annual Director of Public Health report updates residents about local health issues, guides decision-makers, sets out how to improve health and reduce inequalities, and typically focuses on one topic.
‘Why the Building Blocks of Health Matter: Focus on the harm caused by alcohol’ is available to download from the Public Health section of the council’s website