Alcohol-related hepatitis admissions soar in Victoria since lockdown
Hospital admissions for alcohol-related hepatitis jumped from 1,132 to 2,979 between 2020 and 2024. That's a 163 per cent rise.
A study by the Burnet Institute found alcohol-linked hepatitis admissions more than doubled during COVID lockdowns. Admissions stayed high after that.
Doctors are now treating Victorians in their 30s and 40s arriving gravely ill. Almost four in ten patients are under 46.
Women were hit especially hard. Female admissions climbed from 443 before lockdowns to 1,099 after.
Now they account for more than one in three cases.
- 1,132 (Jan 2017-Feb 2020)
- Pre-lockdown admissions
- 2,979 (Mar 2020-Jun 2024)
- Post-lockdown admissions
- 163 per cent
- Percentage increase
- 4 in 10
- Patients under 46
Why it mattersThe rise shows younger people and more women are developing severe liver disease from drinking. This reflects stress during the pandemic and trouble getting help.
AustraliaVictoria's hospitals are straining to treat a younger, sicker population with liver disease than ever before, raising costs and pressuring health services.
Corroborated byThe Age·WAtoday
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 9 h ago
