Alcohol Addiction Kills Millions Yearly; Says WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) paints a grim picture of alcohol’s impact on global health. Their new report reveals a staggering 2.6 million deaths annually due to alcohol consumption, with men disproportionately affected. This translates to nearly 5% of all deaths worldwide.

Unequal Burden:

  • Men shoulder the heaviest burden, with an estimated 2 million alcohol-related deaths compared to 0.4 million for women.
  • The report highlights a troubling trend: 400 million people globally struggle with alcohol and drug use disorders, with 209 million battling alcohol dependence specifically.

Call to Action:

  • WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes the need for “bold actions” to reduce alcohol’s negative consequences and make treatment accessible.
  • He stresses the importance of achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030, which focuses on reducing substance use and improving access to treatment.

Global Challenge:

  • Despite some progress, alcohol-related deaths remain tragically high. The European and African regions have the highest rates.
  • Low-income countries see the highest death rates per litre of alcohol consumed, highlighting a need for targeted strategies.

Health Risks:

  • Alcohol consumption is linked to various health problems, including:
  • Noncommunicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
  • Injuries from accidents, self-harm, and violence.
  • Increased risk of HIV and TB transmission.
  • Young people (20-39 years) are most affected, with 13% of alcohol-related deaths in this age group.

Drinking Patterns:

  • Global alcohol consumption has decreased slightly, from 5.7 liters per capita in 2010 to 5.5 liters in 2019.
  • The European and Americas regions have the highest consumption rates.
  • The average drinker consumes roughly 27 grams of pure alcohol daily (equivalent to 2 glasses of wine, beer bottles, or spirit servings).
  • Heavy episodic drinking (consuming at least 60g of pure alcohol in one sitting) is prevalent, especially among men.
  • Even teenagers (15-19 years) are not immune, with concerning rates of current drinkers in the European and Americas regions.

Treatment Gap:

  • Despite effective treatments, a massive gap exists between those who need help and those who receive it.
  • In reporting countries, a shockingly low 1-35% of people access treatment services.
  • Lack of dedicated resources and budget allocation further hinders progress.
  • Support groups, proven to be effective, are unavailable in nearly half of reporting countries.
  • Stigma, discrimination, and doubts about treatment efficacy further discourage help-seeking behavior.

WHO’s Call to Action:

The WHO urges governments and partners to focus on eight key areas:

  • Public education campaigns to raise awareness of dangers and dispel misconceptions.
  • Strengthening healthcare systems with resources and expertise.
  • Training healthcare workers to better address substance use disorders.
  • Implementing the SAFER package within the Global Alcohol Action Plan.
  • Boosting international cooperation.
  • Engaging stakeholders.
  • Improving monitoring and research.
  • Mobilizing resources.

By addressing these challenges, we can work towards a healthier future and achieve the SDG target of reducing the negative health and social impacts of alcohol use.

Source: Vanguard News

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