New Irish alcohol statistics dashboard

Background 

The Health Research Board (HRB) periodically publish alcohol overviews, collating information about alcohol use and trends, as well as the consequences of alcohol use. These overviews are particularly valuable for policy makers, those working in public health, students, researchers, service providers, and those advocating for recognition of the harms caused by alcohol. The most recent overview was published in April 2024. 

Anne Doyle, Research Officer at HRB, said “Alcohol use in Ireland is declining but its related harms persist. On average four people every day die in Ireland from alcohol use, and alcohol-related hospitalisations remain high.” 

Latest alcohol-related statistics

The introduction of the alcohol statistics dashboard means there is no need to wait for the next publication, key alcohol-related data is available online.

Commenting on the introduction of the new dashboard, Anne Doyle said: “The alcohol statistics dashboard allows data visualisation with interactive tables and graphs and is updated as new information becomes available. It also provides the source of the data so that those wishing to learn more, can easily do so.

Statistics at your disposal

The dashboard allows users a quick insight into trends in alcohol use; alcohol-related harms including deaths, hospitalisations, alcohol-related crime; and responses to alcohol use, such as the number accessing treatment for alcohol use, and the number of prescriptions dispensed for medications used to treat alcohol use disorders, plus more.

The alcohol statistics dashboard can be used by everyone, and is particularly useful and informative for those wishing to understand the burden alcohol places on Irish society, providing the user with a greater understanding of population trends, which in turn can be used to tailor interventions and plan services.” 

The Irish alcohol statistics dashboard is available now at the HRB drugs library website.