HEALTH

Excessive alcohol intake and policy in local council of UK



Excessive alcohol intake and policy in local council of UK

Introduction

Healthcare facilities are very much developed and advanced in United Kingdom. Every part of United Kingdom inclusive of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales has its own set of private and public healthcare policies and facilities. The main agenda of this paper is to discuss the health related policy of alcohol use in local council of Bradford (Department of health, 2013, pp. 1-6). The paper sheds light on the existing issue of health related policy of excess alcohol intake. In addition, it also elaborates the planning of local council to bring reforms in existing policy, actions, and strategies for accomplishing goals, and monitoring of the defined strategies.

The advocacy cycle is used in analyzing the health related issue. Effective advocacy is associated with good planning. Advocacy planning cycle involves most important steps of implementing and planning advocacy related work. Advocacy planning cycle is a systemic planning cycle associated with five phases. It can be defined as a systemic process involved with management of knowledge and information strategically in order to influence/change practices and policies which can affect the lives of people.

Discussion

Issue Identification

Excessive alcohol intake is considered as a major health issue in Bradford and Airedale. This is because of the number of severe health related problems which are associated with excessive alcohol intake which includes cancer and foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

It is also associated with acute and traumatic conditions such as street and domestic violence, work related incidents and accidental poisoning. Drinking and driving is also considered as a major alcohol related harm. Due to these reasons excessive alcohol intake is considered as major problem (Giesbrecht, 2003, pp.26).

Age group

Excessive alcohol consumption is seen in all age groups in the local council of Bradford and Airedale. It is most common in adult males and females of 24-44 years of age. It is also common in middle aged males and females of 45-64 years of age. Excessive alcohol intake is also commonly seen in young adults of 16-24 years of age and elderly of 65 years and above (BJSNA, 2010, pp.2).

Statistics and Prevalence

According to the report of NHS for Bradford and Airedale 2010 the data associated with alcohol prevalence and consumption can be interpreted by the fact that the district has significant Muslim population (BDAHEA, 2010, pp.2). Amongst this population only 1% is associated with drinking alcohol compared to the 71% majority of the district. The overall prevalence of alcohol consumption in Bradford and Airedale is below the levels of national average (GHS, 2006, pp.2).The statistical data obtained from the report indicate that the average consumption of alcohol in Bradford and Airedale is greater than the national average. The data also indicated that the 7% of women and 9% of men are involved in excessive drinking of alcohol at harmful risk levels. Statistical data also indicated that 20% of women and 31% men are involved in binge drinking in the local council of Bradford ...