CANBERRA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- More than two million Australian men aged 30 to 59 are drinking at levels that pose health risks, according to a new national study highlighting persistent alcohol misuse in midlife.
The study, led by Australia's Flinders University, based on data from the 2019 and 2022/23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, found 43 percent of men aged 30 to 59 exceed national guidelines of no more than 10 standard drinks per week and four on any single day, said a university statement released Tuesday.
The study estimates over 2.2 million midlife men are drinking at risky levels, with higher rates among those who smoke, use illicit drugs, experience high psychological distress, live in regional areas or earn higher household incomes.
Men in managerial, trade and technical occupations were also more likely to exceed recommended limits, according to the study published in Drug and Alcohol Review.
Lead author, Flinders University PhD candidate Stefano Zaccagnini said midlife is a period when alcohol use can "shift from occasional to habitual," increasing risks of accidents, injury, assaults, and chronic illnesses.
The research, in partnership with Australia's Alcohol and Drug Foundation, also found psychological distress was strongly linked to risky drinking among men aged 30-44, but less so among those aged 45-59.
The findings challenge common assumptions that alcohol harm is mainly a youth issue, calling for more targeted prevention efforts, particularly in regional communities where help and support options can be limited, the authors said. ■
