Fewer young people in hospital after alcohol abuse
The number of young binge drinkers in Hesse has fallen significantly. In 2022, 668 children and adolescents were treated in a clinic in the federal state after excessive alcohol consumption - a decrease of around nine percent compared to the previous year, according to the DAK health insurance company in Frankfurt after an evaluation of current data from the state statistics office. Slightly more boys than girls were affected, and the decline in patient numbers affected almost all age groups. The number of girls aged between 15 and 19 stagnated at the previous year's level.
Overall, significantly fewer children and adolescents with alcohol poisoning were treated in hospitals than in the last pre-corona year: in 2019, the number was 1249. Patients aged between 10 and 19 who live in Hesse and were admitted to a German hospital as inpatients were registered for the statistics.
"Every alcohol poisoning of a young person is still one too many," said DAK state director Britta Dalhoff. This is why the alcohol prevention campaign "Bunt statt blau" (Colorful instead of blue) will continue in 2024 to raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption. This campaign awards prizes to the best poster ideas from schoolchildren on the subject of binge drinking - the aim is to draw attention to the dangers of alcohol.
The decrease in alcohol-related hospitalizations among young people is a positive trend, which might also extend to the reduction of drug use in this age group. Understanding the dangers of substance abuse, including drugs and alcohol, is crucial for maintaining the health and well-being of our nation's youth.
Source: www.dpa.com
