Alcohol use is common for many people in Halton, but even moderate drinking can cause health and social harms for individuals and our community.
To better understand these impacts, our Halton Region Public Health team, with support from local community partners, published the Alcohol Use in Halton Report (PDF file) to look at the impacts of alcohol in Halton and Ontario. The report covers how alcohol use affects our community and includes evidence-based strategies to keep Halton safe and healthy.
Key findings from the report
Nearly one-third (31%) of Halton residents aged 19 and older drank three or more drinks in the past week, increasing their risk for negative health outcomes.
Each year, alcohol contributes to:
- 5,546 emergency department visits
- 728 hospitalizations
- 125 deaths
In addition to the health impacts, alcohol use can also negatively impact our community safety. Each year in Halton Region, there are:
- 1,039 impaired driving incidents
- 99 motor vehicle collisions
- 415 incidents of violence and intimate partner violence where alcohol was a contributing factor
- 17 incidents of sexual assault attributed to alcohol
Why this data matters
Tracking alcohol use and alcohol-related issues in Halton, we can identify trends and areas where action may be needed to address alcohol-related harms. Our Community Safety and Well-Being Alcohol Action Table works to reduce harmful alcohol consumption and the related health and social impacts in Halton. Evidence shared in the Alcohol Use in Halton report directly impacts their work!
What you can do
It's important that people who choose to drink alcohol are informed about the risks. Understanding how many standard drinks you are drinking (external PDF) will help you make informed decisions about the level of risk you're comfortable with. Any reduction in alcohol use has benefits.
For more information on alcohol use in Halton, helpful resources and how to reduce your risks, visit our alcohol webpage.