Commenting on the announcement, Dr Richard Piper, CEO at Alcohol Change UK, said:
“A boost in funding for NHS services designed to close health inequalities in areas of most need across the country is a welcome move.
“The evidence is clear that those of us in more deprived, working-class communities are disproportionally affected by alcohol harm, despite average consumption usually being lower in these areas. Our latest research showed that people with lower socioeconomic status are disproportionately affected by alcohol harm, even when drinking at what is considered ‘low risk’ levels. It is unacceptable that millions of people continue to face a raft of preventable health and wellbeing impacts from alcohol, from poor sleep, anxiety, cardiovascular disease to cancer.
“While we wait to see how these measures live up to their promise, changes to the way GP funding is distributed in working class and coastal areas should enable fairer and easier access to appointments – better supporting individuals with alcohol-related issues in communities, when it is most needed.
“And of course, to truly address alcohol-related health inequalities, we also need to see decisive action to tackle out-of-control industry advertising on our sports pitches, social media feeds and local streets.
“Our attention is now firmly on the upcoming 10 Year Health plan and the Health Mission Board on Alcohol, where we hope to see bold, joined-up action on alcohol harm – including on primary prevention, which costs so little and creates so much benefit to health, crime and economy.”
Read full details of the announcement here.
