Publication: Alcohol
Date
2003-11
ISSN
Published
2003-11
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Alcohol abuse is one of the leading
causes of death and disability worldwide. Alcohol abuse is
responsible for 4 percent of global deaths and disability,
nearly as much as tobacco and five times the burden of
illicit drugs (WHO). In developing countries with low
mortality, alcohol is the leading risk factor for males,
causing 9.8 percent of years lost to death and disability.
Alcohol abuse contributes to a wide range of social and
health problems, including depression, injuries, cancer,
cirrhosis, dependence, family disruption, and loss of work
productivity. Health and social problems from drinking often
affect others besides the drinker. While men do the bulk of
the drinking worldwide, women disproportionately suffer the
consequences, including alcohol related domestic violence
and reduced family budgets. Heavy alcohol use takes a
particular toll on the young, and has been linked to high
rates of youthful criminal behavior, injury, and impaired
ability to achieve educational qualifications. Many deaths
and much disease and suffering could be prevented by
reducing alcohol use and related problems. The most
effective approach to reduce alcohol-related problems is to
implement a comprehensive set of measures to reduce alcohol
consumption and related problems. Policy options include
price increases, restrictions on availability, strong
drink-driving legislation and ready access to treatment.
Some countries have succeeded in reducing per capita
consumption substantially, and consequently have reduced
liver cirrhosis deaths, a common indicator of
alcohol-related problems in a society. Efforts to reduce
alcohol consumption and related problems face formidable
obstacles: alcohol dependence; social pressures; aggressive
alcohol marketing and promotion; other pressing health
problems competing for limited resources. The overall trend
is towards stricter laws and increased enforcement in some
areas such as drinking-driving. Provision of treatment for
drinking problems has increased in many places in recent decades.
Citation
“World Bank. 2003. Alcohol. at a glance. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/d0a6f6c9-0ba0-5477-b32b-17ab0d6fed48 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”