Introduction to Symposium
Annals of Epidemiology
Volume 17, Issue 5, Supplement 1, May 2007, Pages S1-S2




Some physicians and public health officials, only too aware of the terrible personal and social problems associated with alcohol abuse, have been reluctant to acknowledge potential beneficial effects of moderate drinking, and others have questioned the methodology of the epidemiologic studies. These concerns will be important topics of discussion at this conference.

While positive effects of alcohol on high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol have been known for years, an immense amount of recent research has identified many other potential mechanisms by which alcoholic beverages may relate to CHD. Demonstrated have been effects of alcohol and wine polyphenolic compounds on coagulation, fibrinolysis, endothelial function, lipid oxidation, glucose metabolism, inflammation, and ventricular function, many of which will be discussed at this conference. Also to be discussed will be the adverse effects of abusive drinking on the liver, the brain, and other organs, as well as potentially favorable effects of moderate drinking on other diseases of aging, including stroke, congestive heart failure, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dementia, and even total mortality. Further topics will include the social and cultural aspects of alcohol consumption.

The goal of this symposium is to foster free communication among the participating scientists, many of whom have made important contributions to this field over many decades. It is a closed meeting, and the emphasis will be on uninhibited dialogue, whether it be ‘‘politically correct’’ or not. We are encouraging all of the participants to speak freely, asking each to indicate clearly whether he or she agrees, or does not agree, with what other speakers may saydand the reasons why.

We are hoping that the end result of the meeting will be up-to-date, scientifically sound, and balanced information on moderate drinking, data that should be useful to other scientists working in the field, to physicians and other health-care providers, and to those who develop guidelines for drinking and set policy related to alcohol use. We trust that the published proceedings of this conference will indeed be as close as possible to the ‘‘truth,’’ as we understand it now, about the health risk and benefits of the moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.

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Contributor: Philippe Arvers
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