New data reveals a concerning trend among older Australians, who are more likely to consume alcohol at levels exceeding national health guidelines, despite an overall decline in risky drinking across the population. A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) highlights that while many Australians are adopting more health-conscious drinking habits, specific older age groups face elevated risks associated with alcohol consumption, prompting renewed calls for targeted public health awareness. This disparity underscores a complex challenge in public health messaging and the varying impacts of alcohol across different demographics.
The AIHW’s “Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs in Australia” report indicates that individuals in their 50s and 60s are disproportionately exceeding recommended alcohol limits. Specifically, 32.3 per cent of people in their 50s and 33.2 per cent in their 60s reported drinking at levels beyond the national guidelines, compared to a general population average of 30.7 per cent for those aged 14 and over. Further analysis revealed that 28 per cent of women in their 50s and a significant 44 per cent of men in their 60s were among the highest risk groups. National health guidelines advise consuming no more than 10 standard drinks per week and a maximum of four on any single day.
The AIHW report attributes these elevated risks among older Australians to a confluence of factors distinct from younger cohorts. Older populations often contend with chronic pain, multiple health co-morbidities, and increasing social isolation, all of which can influence drinking patterns. Health authorities strongly caution that consistent consumption above recommended levels significantly elevates the risk of developing alcohol-related diseases and various cancers. The “Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024” specifically identifies the 60-84 year age group as carrying a very high burden of disease directly attributable to alcohol use, underscoring the severe health implications.
Reflecting this reality, Cathy, a 66-year-old Sydney resident, expressed little surprise that her generation faces significant health risks from alcohol. She views the issue as deeply rooted in cultural norms, alongside age and generational factors, acknowledging her own varying weekly alcohol intake based on social engagements. Cathy highlighted her increased vigilance regarding drinking due to age-related conditions like reflux, common among her peers, and voiced confusion over the frequently revised medical advice on safe consumption limits. She also raised concerns about the powerful influence of the alcohol lobby, the government’s reliance on alcohol tax revenue, and the documented links between drinking, gambling, domestic violence, and deteriorating mental health.
Public health advocates, such as Ayla Chorley, CEO of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), assert that alcohol continues to inflict substantial harm across all age groups in Australia, not solely older demographics. Ms. Chorley contends the alcohol industry actively promotes a narrative of declining consumption while employing sophisticated digital marketing to target vulnerable populations, including young people. A FARE pilot study found adolescents aged 14-17 were exposed to numerous alcohol advertisements daily. FARE also highlights that many young people experience alcohol-related harm from adults, often at home, exacerbated by unchecked online alcohol delivery, which surged during pandemic lockdowns. This ease of access, she argues, bypasses traditional checks present in licensed venues.
In response, FARE has intensified calls for a complete prohibition on alcohol advertising during sporting events and advocates for a mandatory two-hour delay between online alcohol ordering and delivery to mitigate harm. Ms. Chorley further accused the industry of exploiting increased at-home drinking habits, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns, by relentlessly targeting women with marketing messages suggesting they “deserved a drink” amidst heightened stress. Research from the Centre for Alcohol Policy Research at La Trobe University, funded by FARE, supports this, revealing that alcohol companies disproportionately target heavy drinkers, with 36 per cent of products sold to just 5 per cent of individuals, intensifying their risk of harm.
Conversely, industry representatives argue that Australian drinking habits have demonstrably shifted towards moderation. Alistair Coe, Executive Director of Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA), points to government data indicating a clear move towards more responsible consumption patterns, with 77 per cent of Australians still enjoying a drink. Mr. Coe highlights a significant decline in both underage drinking and overall risky consumption over the past two decades. He cited AIHW figures showing that the proportion of 14-17 year olds who had consumed alcohol in the previous year dropped substantially from 69 per cent in 2001 to 31 per cent in 2022-23.
Simon Strahan, CEO of DrinkWise, echoed these sentiments, stating that while risky drinking remains a concern in specific cohorts, there is an overall downward trend across the population. He noted that 32.3 per cent of Australians aged over 18 reported risky drinking in 2022-23, a decrease from 40.2 per cent in 2004. Mr. Strahan further dismissed claims that online alcohol ordering increases accessibility leading to harm, asserting that the industry operates under rigorous, world-leading codes of conduct and regulations covering responsible service, advertising, and online sales. He argued that convenience, in itself, does not equate to harm, likening a phone to a supermarket or library, where regulations still apply.
DrinkWise research also indicates positive shifts in consumption patterns across other age groups. The percentage of young people aged 18-24 years reporting more than four standard drinks in a single day at least monthly decreased from 56.9 per cent in 2004 to 40.8 per cent in 2022-23. Similarly, among older individuals over 70, the proportion consuming more than 10 standard drinks per week declined from 26.9 per cent in 2004 to 23.6 per cent in 2022-23. Moreover, 42 per cent of Australians actively cutting back on alcohol have transitioned to zero or lower-strength options, reflecting a broader public awareness and adoption of healthier choices.
