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.