HIQA alcohol risk modelling and mental health systematic review released to inform Irish low-risk drinking guidelines (hiqa.ie)

• Alcohol accounts for 1,420 deaths and 27,066 hospital admissions per year in Ireland (2022-2024).
• Risk of death and hospitalisation increases linearly with alcohol consumption; minimal sex differences.
• Systematic review of 104 studies on alcohol and mental health yielded mixed, low-certainty evidence.
• Reports commissioned by Department of Health to inform update of low-risk alcohol guidelines.
• Ireland has one of Europe’s highest rates of heavy episodic drinking, especially among young adults.

"HIQA has published two reports requested by the Department of Health to support an update to Ireland’s low-risk alcohol guidelines. A modelling study using Irish data (2022-2024) estimated alcohol accounts for 1,420 deaths and 27,066 hospital admissions annually, with risk increasing linearly with consumption. A systematic review of 104 studies on alcohol and mental health found low-certainty evidence, with mixed results. The reports suggest minimal sex differences in risk and that current guidelines may need revision to reflect risks at lower consumption levels."