The inhabitants of this region drink more and more often. UMW scientists support prohibition

• - The statistics of deaths caused by drinking alcohol are alarming. Between 2002 and 2017, this rate doubled in men and quadrupled in women - emphasizes Prof. Katarzyna Zatońska from the Medical University of Wrocław
• The problem in Lower Silesia is particularly serious. The region's residents drink alcohol more often than average Poles.
• In 2021, this region ranked second in Poland in terms of the number of deaths caused by chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.

Wrocław is considering a night-time prohibition. Public consultations are underway on introducing a ban on the sale of alcohol at night throughout the city. Doctors and scientists from the Medical University of Wrocław are strongly in favour of such a solution, drawing attention primarily to the dramatic increase in the number of deaths caused by alcohol consumption and the fact that residents of Lower Silesia drink more than the average Pole.

- We unequivocally support the ban on night-time alcohol sales throughout Wrocław - explains Prof. Katarzyna Zatońska, head of the Department of Population Research and Prevention of Civilization Diseases at the Medical University of Wrocław.

- The statistics of deaths caused by drinking alcoholic beverages are alarming. Between 2002 and 2017, this rate doubled in men (from 13.9 to 28 per 100,000) and quadrupled in women (from 1.7 to 6.4 per 100,000). The most dynamic jump occurred after 2002, when excise duty on spirits was reduced by 30% - alcohol simply became more accessible - he points out.

He also points out that deaths due to diseases of the digestive system (mainly chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis) were in recent years the only large group of causes with a growing trend, inhibiting the increase in life expectancy in the country.

Scientists rely on data obtained from studies of the population of Wrocław and its surroundings as part of scientific projects in which the Medical University of Wrocław participates.

These are: PURE (Prospective Epidemiological Study of the Urban and Rural Population), in which the main researchers for Poland are Prof. Katarzyna Zatońska and Prof. Andrzej Szuba from UMW, and PICTURE (Wrocław's "Study of the health of school-age children born in 2005-2012 and their guardians"), whose leader and originator is Prof. Tomasz Zatoński, Vice-Rector for Social Responsibility of the University.

Studies show that the problem in Lower Silesia is particularly serious. The region's residents drink alcohol more often than average Poles. For years, Lower Silesia has been in the inglorious top of the voivodeships with the highest mortality due to liver diseases. In 2021, the region took second place in Poland in terms of the number of deaths caused by chronic liver disease and cirrhosis - 27.5 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The situation is particularly worrying in cities, where this rate is as much as 28 percent higher than the national average.

This trend is also confirmed by data from the Wrocław district. Between 2019 and 2023, the share of digestive system diseases in the structure of deaths increased from 4.2% to 6.1%. Scientists have no doubt that one of the main culprits is alcohol.

- Alcohol consumption is one of the main risk factors for the development of many diseases, not only liver diseases, but also cardiovascular diseases and head and neck cancers. And local data show that residents of Lower Silesia drink more and more often - explains Prof. Tomasz Zatoński.

This is confirmed by the results of population studies, which show that as many as 67% of people drink alcohol, and only 22% are teetotalers. Among city dwellers, this percentage increases to 73%, and in the group of people with higher education – to 78%.

Men and younger people drink more often - although it is worth noting that even in the 64+ age group almost half still drink alcohol.

Most PURE study participants reported moderate drinking, but as many as 10 percent admitted to episodes of heavy drinking – having at least five drinks on one occasion in the past month.

Men are twice as likely to engage in this type of risky behavior than women.

In turn, the PICTURE study, conducted among adults in Wrocław and parents of school children, shows that alcohol consumption is declared by as many as 82% of people under 50. This is significantly more than the national average. The most popular drinks are wine and beer, but as many as 20% of respondents admit that they drink five or more portions of alcohol on one occasion – often several times a month.

- We see a clear need to introduce preventive measures. Just making people aware of the risks is not enough. Systemic changes are necessary: ​​limiting the availability of alcohol, especially at night, as well as educational support for young people and adults - emphasizes Prof. Zatoński.

- We also point to the need to develop health programs that not only inform but also enable residents to make a real change in their lifestyle. High alcohol consumption in Lower Silesia is not only a social problem, but above all a threat to public health. Preventive actions can save the health - and even the lives - of thousands of residents of the region. Information from UMW scientists, together with statistics, was forwarded to the authorities of Wrocław.

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