Are the figures really horrific?

Anti-alcohol propaganda seems to be making much of the UK figures. 580 deaths in men and 385 in women in one year - in the 75 and over age group. Just what are we allowed to die from and has the current obsession with maximisising length of life become a bit ridiculous ? Of course some folk may be drinking for reasons which warrant social assessment and there may be a fair amount of ignorance about the ill effects. But is it so very awful if some of those over 75 have a slight "what the hell attitude?". Out of the 500,000 deaths pa in the UK these figures fail to appal me. Perhaps Odysseus could give us an Australian view , despite the relatively small elderly population down-under ?

DOI Oldie not averse to a bit of risk taking (but drinks "in moderation").

Source: Doc2Doc BMJ Cardiology - February 21, 2014 Category: Cardiology Authors: sken Source Type: forums