Young Victorians face rise in severe liver diseases following COVID-19 lockdowns

A new Burnet Institute report analyzed health data revealing that alcohol-related hospital admissions and treatments for alcohol-associated hepatitis rose sharply when Covid lockdowns began in March 2020. While admissions slowed after restrictions eased, they have continued to remain far above pre-pandemic levels. Experts point to factors such as pandemic stress, uncertainty, and increased home delivery of alcohol as contributors to the rise. Although overall statistics show young people drinking less generally, a small minority are consuming damaging amounts, leading to advanced liver disease at earlier ages.