In Victoria, Australia, a new report has highlighted a worrying rise in severe, irreversible liver disease among young people, even as overall alcohol consumption has fallen.
The study, produced by the Burnet Institute and commissioned by the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (Fare), analysed nearly two decades of Victorian health data to assess the prevalence of alcohol‑related harm.
While the data show that most young Victorians are drinking less than before, a small minority are consuming large, damaging amounts of alcohol. These heavy drinkers are now accounting for a growing number of hospital admissions for liver disease.
Alcohol‑related hospital admissions in Victoria remain above pre‑pandemic levels, with a peak during the Covid lockdowns. The report warns that the trend could lead to long‑term health consequences for the state's youth.
Health officials and researchers are calling for targeted interventions to address the high‑risk group and to prevent further escalation of alcohol‑related health problems.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>