The World Health Organization, (WHO) revealed that alcohol is responsible for nearly three million deaths each year, with a slight decrease in recent years but still at an “unacceptably high” level.
A report made public on the organization’s website and sighted by Africa Health Report, (AHR) on Tuesday, shows that in 2019, 2.6 million deaths were linked to alcohol consumption, accounting for 4.7 per cent of global deaths, with the majority occurring in men.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the severe impact of substance use on health, leading to preventable deaths and various health conditions. While there has been some progress in reducing alcohol-related harm since 2010, the overall burden remains significant, especially among younger individuals.
Highlighting the disproportionate effect on young people, the report noted that the highest percentage of alcohol-related deaths in 2019, at 13 per cent, were among individuals aged 20 to 39.
Dr. Tedros urged for continued efforts to address alcohol-related harm and promote healthier behaviours.
In response to the report, Tedros stated, “Substance use severely harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and tragically resulting in millions of preventable deaths every year.”
He also stressed the need for ongoing initiatives to reduce alcohol-related harm and protect public health.
