WHO launches initiative to prevent, reduce alcohol-related deaths

WHO launches initiative to prevent, reduce alcohol-related deaths

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More than 3 million people died as a result of harmful use of alcohol in 2016, according a report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) today. This represents 1 in 20 deaths. More than three quarters of these deaths were among men. Overall, the harmful use of alcohol causes more than 5% of the global disease burden.Of all deaths attributable to alcohol, 28% were due to injuries, such as those from traffic crashes, self-harm and interpersonal violence; 21% due to digestive disorders; 19% due to cardiovascular diseases, and the remainder due to infectious diseases, cancers, mental disorders and other health conditions. WHO’s Global status report on alcohol and health 2018 presents a comprehensive picture of alcohol consumption and the disease burden attributable to alcohol worldwide.

                The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday released a new initiative and technical package outlining five high-impact strategies that can help governments reduce the harmful use of alcohol and related health, social and economic consequences.SAFER is the newest WHO-led roadmap to support governments in taking practical steps to accelerate progress on health, beat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through addressing the harmful use of alcohol.

          'We are proud to introduce SAFER, a package of proven interventions to reduce the harms caused by alcohol, and a new partnership to catalyse global action,' said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation. 'We need governments to put in place effective alcohol control policy options and public policies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.'
SAFER provides five high-impact strategic actions prioritised for implementation to promote health and development:

-Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability.

-Advance and enforce drink driving counter measures.

-Facilitate access to screening, brief interventions and treatment.

-Enforce bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion.

-Raise prices on alcohol through excise taxes and pricing policies

.-Action is needed to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm in low-, middle- and high-income countries.

                    Alcohol  is also a major risk factor for NCDs, including cancers and cardiovascular diseases, communicable diseases such as TB and HIV/AIDS, violence, and injuries. Globally, alcohol consumption is the seventh leading risk factor for premature death and disability.'We have seen too little progress since the endorsement of the 'Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol' by the World Health Assembly eight years ago. But SAFER brings new impetus for action,' said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr Svetlana Axelrod.