The costs and avoidable costs of alcohol-misuse for County Durham and Darlington and for England

Abstract

This dissertation contributes to current discussions in public health policy regarding the scale and the management of the excess alcohol consumption problem and the evaluation of possible policy interventions. The dissertation provides a comprehensive assessment of relevant literature and an analysis of the societal costs of alcohol misuse and the avoidable and unavoidable costs of alcohol-related liver cirrhosis for County Durham and Darlington and for England.

The costs of alcohol misuse for County Durham and Darlington and for England are estimated at £207.52 million and £17.79 billion respectively. In County Durham and Darlington, the estimated discounted costs of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis, over a ten year period are £5.07 million for males and £2.19 million for females, however, potentially 65% and 71% of these costs can be
avoided, for males and females respectively. In England the estimated total discounted costs of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis, over a 10 year period are £455.46 million for males and £232.51 million for females, however, it is estimated that, potentially, 64% and 69% of these costs can be avoided, for males and females respectively.

Discussions in this dissertation indicate that alcohol-related harm will increase. It is, therefore, ever more important to ensure the most economically efficient policy interventions are implemented. To do this, policy must be based on the best available evidence and data, to which this dissertation contributes significantly. It is recommended that the findings in this dissertation be applied to evaluations of alcohol-related interventions to facilitate prioritisation, appraisal and ongoing improvement within the public sector.