The World Health Organization (WHO)’s global report on alcohol and health and the treatment of substance use disorders reveals that the death toll from alcohol consumption has seen an unacceptably high increase, with the highest rates in low-income countries and the lowest in high-income countries.
The report highlights that of all deaths attributable to alcohol in 2019, an estimated 1.6 million deaths were from non-communicable diseases, and some 724,000 deaths were due to injuries, such as those from traffic crashes, self-harm, and interpersonal violence.
Another 284,000 deaths were linked to communicable diseases as alcohol consumption has been shown to increase the risk of HIV transmission resulting from an increased risk of unprotected sex and by increasing the risk of TB infection and mortality by suppressing a wide range of immune responses.
It also shows that an estimated 400 million people live with alcohol use disorders while 209 million people live with alcohol dependence globally.
WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus speaking to the report said, “Substance use severely harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, and mental health conditions, and tragically resulting in millions of preventable deaths every year.
“It places a heavy burden on families and communities, increasing exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence. To build a healthier, more equitable society, we must urgently commit to bold actions that reduce the negative health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and make treatment for substance use disorders accessible and affordable.”
The report highlights that despite some reduction in the alcohol-related death rates since 2010, the overall number of deaths due to alcohol consumption remains unacceptably high, and death rates due to alcohol consumption per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.
Source: WHO Report
