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Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UK tops all other countries in Europe for boozing and one key reason blamed
A new survey has found that the UK has the highest number of people who drink alcohol at least once a week than any other country in Europe, with one key reason why people drink emerging The UK tops the charts for weekly alcohol consumption, with more Brits confessing to drinking at least once a week than any other European nation, according to recent data. A fresh survey revealed that 46% of Brits admit to having a drink at least once every seven days. This is closely followed by Ireland, where 45% partake in weekly drinking, and the Netherlands and Spain, both at 42%. The study, conducted by pharmaceutical firm STADA, surveyed 27,000 individuals across 22 countries. The primary reason participants gave for consuming alcohol was to boost their mood, with 31% citing this as their main motivation. Meanwhile, 23% claimed it helped them unwind or sleep, and 18% used it as a stress reliever. The data also highlighted that men were significantly more likely to drink on a weekly basis than women - 44% of men compared to 25% of women. They were also twice as likely to indulge in daily drinking (6% versus 3%), reports Surrey Live. Interestingly, nearly a third of women (32%) confessed they didn't know why they drank, compared to 23% of men. In terms of smoking, 31% of Europeans light up a cigarette or use other tobacco products at least once a week. The survey discovered that Bulgaria had the highest percentage of weekly smokers (47%), followed by Serbia, with 42%. Peter Goldschmidt, CEO of STADA, has observed that while many Europeans are keen on preventative health measures and maintaining healthy habits, there's a limit to what they can achieve. He explained: "Stagnating system satisfaction, limited access to preventative and mental healthcare and a perceived lack of fairness fuel frustrations across the continent. "In their private lives, many Europeans find themselves torn between knowing what is best for them and simultaneously being pulled in another direction by their circumstances and day-to-day responsibilities." The NHS advises the consumption of no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, optimally spread over at least three days. This amounts to around six standard glasses of wine or six pints of beer with a 4% ABV. The health service highlights multiple benefits of reducing alcohol intake such as feeling less fatigued, achieving clearer skin, saving funds, decreasing blood pressure, diminishing risks of stroke and cancer, and lowering cholesterol levels. Enhanced moods, improved memory and sleep, along with assistance in weight management, are also cited as advantageous outcomes of cutting down on booze. A significant portion (49%) of the European populace recognises the potential to embark on healthier lifestyle choices. Amongst those yearning for betterment, 39% indicated that reduced workplace stress would help alter detrimental habits, and 36% expressed a desire for a calmer home life to facilitate positive changes. The NHS clarifies that consuming more than 14 units of alcohol a week for a decade or longer can lead to serious health conditions such as mouth cancer, throat cancer, breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver disease, brain damage, and damage to the nervous system.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Women and people of colour issued warning over using AI for health advice
Certain demographics of people run the risk of receiving inaccurate or outdated medical information when asking chatbots for advice - and so should remain wary, an expert has said While artificial intelligence continues to rise in prominence and people turn to the technology for medical help, women and people of colour have been warned about following advice from chatbots. Magali Geens, who led the STADA Health Report 2025 on health trends in the UK and Europe, explained that AI will not always provide accurate health advice for women and anyone who isn't white. When we ask AI systems like Chat GPT for guidance, it will pull together studies and data from the internet to provide its response. However, this existing knowledge is often outdated. A large amount of the research into health issues has historically been centred around men, with them often being the default subjects in studies. Caucasians are also overrepresented in the available studies on the internet that Chat GPT uses to form its advice. Geens explained: 'If [women] use Chat GPT and put in symptoms, you will get data and information that is not for you.' She said that to get the best out of AI when it comes to health advice, you will need tools that are up-to-date, relevant, and that eliminate bias. Geens used specific chatbots designed for mental health problems as a good example. READ MORE: 'I use AI to make me a better dad - it helps me settle arguments and is a great teacher' Using AI like a search engine to ask for medical advice will result in you getting inaccurate information, or results that will confirm bias. You would need to provide more details, such as your height, weight, family history, and gender to get a tailored response - but many AI users are unaware of this. While AI can be a useful tool for those in rural areas to access health advice, it is vital for users to remain critical of the information they are presented with. Geens told us: 'This is a challenge that will take a few more years to crack.' Peter Goldschmidt, CEO of pharmaceutical company STADA, added that AI can provide 'information, but not competent judgement'. Women already have less trust in healthcare systems than men. According to the STADA survey of 27,000 people from 22 counties, 55% of women trust healthcare systems, compared to 61% of men. AI continues to rise in popularity and play a role in education, science, and now, healthcare. Of those surveyed, 39% said they would consider getting a medical consultation from AI instead of seeing a doctor - with most citing accessibility and convenience as the reasons why. The technology is already in use in the UK healthcare system, with the UK Health Security Agency harnessing AI to understand patient experiences, detect food-borne illness outbreaks, and make public health guidance more consistent. Dr Nick Watkins, chief data scientist at UKHSA, said that AI could 'enhance public health protection'. He added: 'As we continue to develop and refine these systems, we maintain a careful balance between embracing innovation and ensuring robust validation of AI outputs. This approach helps us harness AI's potential while maintaining the high standards expected of a national public health agency.'
