The World Health Organizaion (WHO) has released the Global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol [pdf]. The strategy calls for wider implementation of policies to save lives and reduce the health impact of harmful alcohol drinking. The global strategy focuses on ten key areas of policy options and interventions at the national level and four priority areas for global action. WHO press release.
Each year the harmful use of alcohol kills 2.5 million people internationally, including 320,000 young people between 15 and 29 years of age. It is the third leading risk factor for poor health globally, and harmful use of alcohol was responsible for almost 4% of all deaths in the world, according to the estimates for 2004.
Also released is The Global status report on alcohol and health (2011) which presents a comprehensive perspective on the global, regional and country consumption of alcohol, patterns of drinking, health consequences and policy responses in Member States - see press release.
Separate profiles can also be accessed including Europe and individual countries including the UK factsheet.
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