In response to COVID-19, government-mandated health directives including widespread lockdowns were implemented. Changes in alcohol purchasing were reported, with growing concern that alcohol may be consumed to cope with pandemic-associated stressors. Previously, there have been limited studies examining alcohol-related harms, including acute harms requiring an ambulance, and their relationship to government announcements or policies related to COVID-19.
This research paper analyses Victorian data from the National Ambulance Surveillance System for January and September 2020, with matched months in 2019. Modelling tools were used to map alcohol-related harms as a function of government policies for both metropolitan and regional areas.
Access the research paper - Changes in alcohol intoxication-related ambulance attendances during COVID-19: How have government announcements and policies affected ambulance call outs?
