With New Year’s Eve tonight, the Health Department reminds all Harlemites and New Yorkers not to drink to excess. Alcohol-related emergency room visits are more than double on New Year’s Day compared to the rest of the year, according to an analysis of Health Department data. Alcohol related emergency room visits peak during the hours 1 to 4 a.m. during New Year’s Day. This pattern is consistent across several years.
“More than any other day of the year, New York City’s emergency rooms treat people for issues related to excessive alcohol consumption during the early hours of New Year’s Day,” said Commissioner“No one wants to spend their New Year’s in a hospital room. Avoid drinking excessively and watch out for your friends to keep them from hurting themselves or others.”
The Health Department offers the followings risk reduction tips for holiday revelers:
- Be conscious of how much alcohol you consume: it’s better to have one fewer drink than one too many
- Eat dinner before the celebrations and snack throughout the evening
- Pace yourself and if you choose to drink alcohol, alternate alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Stay well hydrated – drink plenty of water or a non-alcoholic beverage such as seltzer in between drinks
*NOTE Pertaining to Figure Above: The Health Department currently tallies emergency department visits from 51 NYC hospitals accounting for 97% of annual emergency department visits in NYC. Alcohol-related emergency department visits are identified using the chief complaint field.
Drink responsibly.
Become a Harlem Insider!
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
