An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) study has found that alcohol-related hospitalisations and deaths are predominantly males.

Males made up four in five alcohol-related deaths and three in five hospitalisations between 2019 and 2020.

Men aged in their early 20s and 40s take up majority of the alcohol-related injury hospitalisations.

The report included injury cases where alcohol may have been wholly or partially responsible for the injury.

Two of the leading causes of injury-related deaths among males were suicide (48 percent) and accidental poisoning (23 percent).

The rate of deaths from alcohol-related injuries more than doubled from the 2010-2011 period to the 2019 to 2020 period. However, the number of deaths decreased by 10 percent before and during COVID lockdowns.

In April 2020, there were 20 percent fewer alcohol-related hospitalisations, AIHW spokesperson Dr Heather Swanston said.

“However, as COVID-19 related restrictions eased, alcohol-related injury hospital admissions had returned to pre-pandemic levels by June 2020,” she said.

“Most injury events are preventable, but the consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of injury.”

For those seeking assistance, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Support on 13 11 14.

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