Alcohol consumption continues to have devastating effects worldwide, causing nearly three million deaths annually, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Tuesday. Despite a slight decrease in death rates in recent years, the numbers remain "unacceptably high."

The WHO's latest report on alcohol and health reveals that alcohol is responsible for nearly one in 20 deaths globally each year. These deaths are attributed to various factors, including drink driving, alcohol-induced violence and abuse, and numerous diseases and disorders. The report highlighted that in 2019 alone, alcohol was responsible for 2.6 million deaths, accounting for 4.7 percent of all global deaths that year.

Impact on Men and Younger Populations

The report emphasized that nearly three-quarters of alcohol-related deaths were among men. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that although there had been some reduction in alcohol consumption and related harm worldwide since 2010, the health and social burden of alcohol use remains unacceptably high. Younger people, particularly those aged 20 to 39, are disproportionately affected, with 13 percent of alcohol-attributable deaths occurring in this age group in 2019.

Health Risks and Diseases

Alcohol consumption is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including cirrhosis of the liver and various cancers. The report found that in 2019, an estimated 1.6 million of the alcohol-related deaths were due to noncommunicable diseases. These included 474,000 deaths from cardiovascular diseases, 401,000 from cancer, and 724,000 from injuries, including traffic accidents and self-harm.

Moreover, alcohol abuse increases susceptibility to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and pneumonia. In 2019, about 209 million people, or 3.7 percent of the global population, lived with alcohol dependence.

Global Consumption Patterns

The report found that global per capita alcohol consumption slightly decreased from 5.7 liters in 2010 to 5.5 liters in 2019. However, alcohol consumption is unevenly distributed around the globe. More than half of the world's population over the age of 15 abstains from drinking entirely. Europe had the highest levels of per capita drinking at 9.2 liters, followed by the Americas at 7.5 liters. In contrast, predominantly Muslim countries in Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Asia had the lowest levels of consumption.

Heavy Drinking and Its Consequences

Among those who drank alcohol in 2019, the average consumption was 27 grams of pure alcohol per day, equivalent to two glasses of wine, two small bottles of beer, or two shots of spirits. This level of drinking is associated with increased risks of numerous health conditions, including higher mortality and disability rates. The report also found that 38 percent of current drinkers engaged in heavy episodic drinking, defined as consuming at least 60 grams of pure alcohol on one or more occasions in the preceding month.

Access to Treatment and Stigma

The WHO stressed the importance of improving access to quality treatment for substance use disorders. In 2019, the proportion of people accessing treatment services ranged from below one percent to 35 percent in countries providing this data. Vladimir Poznyak, head of WHO’s unit for alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviors, emphasized that stigma, discrimination, and misconceptions about the efficacy of treatment contribute to critical gaps in treatment provision.

The WHO's report underscores the urgent need for continued efforts to reduce alcohol consumption and its related harms. Addressing the global burden of alcohol requires improved access to treatment, increased public awareness, and policies aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm. Despite some progress, the health and social impacts of alcohol remain significant, necessitating ongoing vigilance and action.

Source: Channelstv.com