Let's talk about alcohol: Midlife women's health in North Yorkshire
Our survey closed at the end of October 2025. Although the window for taking part in that specific survey has now ended, we are still very interested in hearing from you about alcohol and health, support (good and bad) or any other healthcare experience or story you'd like to share. You don't have to leave your name and what you tell us will not affect your care.
The alcohol and health survey asked women aged 40 to 60 in North Yorkshire about their drinking habits (even occasional drinking in the past two years), emotional wellbeing and how well local services meet their needs. We wanted to understand how alcohol fits into mid-life women’s lives - whether to relax, socialise, cope, or for other reasons.
Why this matters
Alcohol use among midlife women is rising, often as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or life pressures. Yet their voices are often missing from the conversation.
The rate of alcohol-related NHS hospital admissions continues to rise across England.
In 2023, there were 10,473 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK (as reported by the Office for National Statistics). This is the highest number on record.
In relation to women, there are some worrying statistics:
- Midlife women drink more frequently than younger age groups and face greater health risks due to hormonal and physiological changes.
Source: Office for Health Improvement and Disparities: Women and alcohol - Women account for 39% of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England.
Source: Institute for Alcohol Studies - In North Yorkshire, alcohol-related hospital admissions are above the national average in several areas — particularly for women aged 40 to 64.
Source: Department of Health & Social Care - Between 2019 and 2022, alcohol-specific deaths among women in England rose by over 30%, with those aged 50 to 59 most affected.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Despite these figures, midlife women’s voices are often missing from conversations about alcohol and support services.
We want to change that.
Whether you drink regularly, occasionally, or have cut back, your story can help shape support that truly reflects real lives.
At Healthwatch, we’ve heard how people seeking help often feel treated as a group, not as individuals. Support organisations and healthcare services that listen, understand, and respond to real experiences lead to better outcomes.
What will happen with your feedback
Your responses were anonymous and optional, and we used them to build a clearer picture of how alcohol affects the lives of women in mid-life and whether local support services are meeting their needs. We will use what you tell us to:
- identify gaps in care or support
- champion what is working well
- raise awareness of issues affecting mid-life women
- help us make evidence-based recommendations to local support organisations and NHS healthcare services, to promote more understanding, flexible and relevant support
What will happen with your feedback?
The findings from the survey will be used to produce a report, which will be shared with those in charge of care within the NHS, as well as community and support groups.
We’ll use what you share to build a clearer picture of how alcohol affects the lives of women in midlife and whether local support services are meeting your needs. What you tell us will help us:
- spot gaps in care or support
- raise awareness of overlooked issues affecting midlife women
- help us make evidence-based recommendations to local services, promoting more empathetic and flexible support
All responses are completely anonymous, and people don’t and didn't have to answer anything you’re not comfortable with.
However, if you did not complete the survey by the end of October, or if you’d like to tell us about something slightly different, whether alcohol or another health or social care matter, we still welcome your feedback.
Every story helps build a fuller insight into how people experience care and support. While we cannot guarantee that feedback submitted after the survey closing date will appear in this particular report, your views will still be valuable to us and will inform future work and understanding.
Help and support
Whilst Healthwatch don't provide medical advice, if this has raised any concerns or you’d like to speak to someone, support is available.
Contact these organisations for help or get in touch with Healthwatch and we can help you find what's right for you.
- Drinkline – 0300 123 1110 (free, confidential)
- Drinkaware – www.drinkaware.co.uk
- Drink drug hub - www.drinkdrughub.co.uk
- Alcohol change UK – www.alcoholchange.org.uk
- North Yorkshire Horizons – local alcohol support www.nyhorizons.org.uk
- Menopause Matters – www.menopausematters.co.uk
- NHS menopause support – www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause
- NHS mental health support - Mental health - NHS
Questions about the project? Get in contact
If you have any questions about the alcohol and mid-life women's health project, we're here to help.
Please note: Healthwatch North Yorkshire does not offer medical advice or individual health support with alcohol, but we can signpost you to relevant services where needed.
Email hello@hwny.co.uk
Phone 01423 788 128
Write to us (no stamp required): Freepost HEALTHWATCHNORTHYORKSHIRE
