The mortality rates linked to alcohol consumption per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries

The World Health Organization's recent report highlights significant global impacts from alcohol consumption, indicating 2.6 million deaths annually attributable to alcohol, which accounts for 4.7% of all deaths. Additionally, alcohol-related deaths from psychoactive drug use were reported at 0.6 million deaths. Of these, two million deaths were among men due to alcohol and 0.4 million due to drugs.

The report underscores the widespread prevalence of alcohol and drug use disorders globally, affecting an estimated 400 million people, with 209 million suffering from alcohol dependence. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus emphasized the severe health consequences of substance use, including increased risks of chronic diseases and mental health conditions, contributing to millions of preventable deaths yearly. He stressed the urgent need for comprehensive actions to mitigate these impacts and improve access to treatment.

Despite some reduction in alcohol-related deaths since 2010, the overall number remains unacceptably high, with 1.6 million deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases in 2019 alone. The report highlights disparities in alcohol-related death rates across regions, with the highest rates observed in low-income countries.

Dr. Tedros called for accelerated global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030, focusing on reducing alcohol and drug consumption and enhancing treatment accessibility. He noted challenges such as stigma and inadequate treatment coverage, urging governments and partners to prioritize substance use disorder interventions and allocate resources effectively.

The report advocates for strategic actions including awareness campaigns, strengthening healthcare systems, training professionals, and implementing global action plans to address alcohol and drug-related harms comprehensively.