Epidemiology of alcohol-related burden of disease among Indigenous Australians

Objective: To compare the burden of alcohol-related harm and underlying factors of this harm, by age and sex, for Indigenous and general population Australians.Methods: Population attributable fractions are used to estimate the disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for alcohol-related disease and injury. The DALYs were converted to rates per 1,000 by age and sex for the Indigenous and general populations.Results: Homicide and violence rates were much higher for Indigenous males: greatest population difference was for 30–44 years, Indigenous rate 8.9 times higher. Rates of suicide were also greater: the largest population difference was for 15–29 years, Indigenous rate 3.9 times higher. Similarly, for Indigenous females, homicide and violence rates were much higher: greatest population difference was for 30–44 years, Indigenous rate 18.1 times higher. Rates of suicide were also greater: the largest population difference was for 15–29 years, Indigenous rate 5.0 times higher.Conclusions: Alcohol consumption and associated harms are of great concern for Indigenous Australians across all ages. Violent alcohol-related harms have been highlighted as a major concern.Implications: To reduce the disproportionate burden of alcohol-related harm experienced by Indigenous Australians, targeted interventions should include the impact on families and communities and not just the individual