Mortality and hospital morbidity from cirrhosis of the liver in relation to per capita consumption of absolute alcohol, education and native status, Ontario; 1978 to 1982.

Correlation and regression analyses have been carried out to test the hypothesis that areas experiencing high per capita consumption of absolute alcohol will also experience correspondingly higher annual rates of cirrhosis, in Ontario from 1978 to 1982. Adjustment was made for the influence of socio-demographic variables upon hospital morbidity and mortality rates. Areas experiencing higher per capita consumption of absolute alcohol were found to have higher hospital morbidity. The relationship between hospital morbidity and general mortality from cirrhosis, and per capita consumption of absolute alcohol appears to be growing weaker; no relationship could be demonstrated, however, between cirrhosis mortality and hospital morbidity and proportionate native population and education status.