Global Strategy To Reduce The Harmful Use Of Alcohol PDF Download

"The European Region of WHO has the unenviable position of being the region of the world with the highest levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol related harm. This is a challenge. Relatively simple and inexpensive action can, however, bring rapid and considerable gains in population health and well-being, enhanced employment and productivity, increased health and social welfare savings, greater health and economic equality, and greater social cohesion and inclusion. A public health response is, therefore, feasible and effective. With its first European alcohol action plan in 1992, the European Region has been at the forefront in providing leadership to reduce the harm done by alcohol. Spurred on by the momentum for action brought on by the 2010 global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, the Region can maintain this world leadership role through the launch of a re-invigorated European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012-2020. The importance of the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority, with action integral to successful promotion of well-being and healthy lifestyles and reduction of the burden of noncommunicable disease, as well as some communicable diseases, should never be underestimated. Even though only half the world's population drinks alcohol, it is the third leading cause of ill health and premature death globally, after low birth weight and unsafe sex, and greater than tobacco. Alcohol is teratogenic, affecting the developing fetus; neurotoxic, affecting brain development; intoxicating, causing a wide range of intentional and unintentional injuries; carcinogenic, causing a wide range of cancers; an immunosuppressant, increasing the risk of communicable diseases, and a cause of a range of cardiovascular diseases. Alcohol harms people other than the drinker, whether through violence, traffic accidents, domestic violence in the family, or simply using up government resources. The greater the exposure to heavy drinking, the greater the impact on quality of life. Economic efficiency is impaired through diminished productivity due to alcohol. The real risk of dying from an alcohol-related condition increases with the amount of alcohol consumed over a lifetime, with heavy drinking occasions (when most alcohol is drunk) being particularly risky. The action plan was endorsed by 53 European Member States at the Regional Committee for Europe in September 2011 in Baku, Azerbaijan. It includes a wide range of policies and programmes that are relatively easy and cheap to implement, can reduce the harmful use of alcohol, promote health and well-being, improve productivity, and enhance human, health and social capital across the life course from birth to old age. This action plan proposes a range of options for the 10 action areas of the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol that all European Member States can engage in. With leadership and commitment, all Member States can strengthen their actions on alcohol and subsequently gain from the resulting health and economic rewards."--P. v.