§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his Department's policy is on seeking to prevent alcohol-related harm among older people; [157366]
(2) what assessment he has made of the extent of alcohol abuse among older people. [157367]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson21 per cent. of men and 12 per cent. of women aged over 65 drink on a daily basis, although the vast majority of do not misuse alcohol.
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Mean body mass index (BMI) by Government Office Region and Sex All with a valid height and weight measurement 2002 Percentage Government Office Regions BMI (kg/m2) North East North West York and The Humber West Midlands East Midlands East of England London South East South West England Men aged 16+ 27.7 26.9 27.3 27.4 27.3 27.2 25.9 26.8 26.6 26.9 Women aged 16+ 26.8 26.8 26.7 27.4 27.3 27.3 26.6 26.2 26,0 26.7 Boys aged 0–151 18.8 18.0 17.6 18.3 18.2 17.9 18.2 18.0 18.0 18.1 Girls aged 0–151 19.0 18.8 18.3 18.6 18.6 18.1 18.7 18.3 18.0 18.5 The Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England due to be published shortly will set the future direction for the development of alcohol prevention and treatment for all groups in the population, including older people.
The Government also recently launched "Choosing Health?", a consultation on improving people's health. The consultation will seek views on the role that Government, the national health service, the media, other organisations and people themselves can play in making the nation healthier. The consultation will offer the opportunity to have a wide ranging national debate about improving the health of all, including older people.