The 53 countries in the WHO European Region meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan from 12 to 15 September 2011 are endorsing a plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. In this Region, alcohol is the second largest risk factor for the death and disease burden, just after tobacco use.
“The harmful use of alcohol is a priority public health concern. The evidence supporting this action plan is large, diverse and persuasive,” said Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Countries are well aware of the expensive and devastating damage it causes and our action plan is intended to provide them with technical guidance and support on what can and should be done to reduce this harm.”
The WHO European Region is the heaviest drinking region in the world, with a prevalence of heavy episodic drinking in over 20% of adults. Alcohol consumption reportedly decreased during the 1990s, then increased and stabilized at a higher level between 2004 and 2006. Consumption varies greatly among countries, with a European average of 9.24 litres of pure alcohol equivalent consumed per person per year. The overall tendency is that consumption has decreased in western Europe and increased in eastern Europe during the last 15 years, although there are huge differences among countries – see the European status report on alcohol and health 2010. > > > > Read More
