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8 July 2024The new report from the health institution indicates that 2,6 million deaths annually are due to the consumption of this substance, a figure that represents 4,7% of the total. In the case of psychoactive drugs, deaths stand at 0,6 million
The World Health Organization (WHO) has presented its new report World status on alcohol and substance use disorder health and treatment.
The data, which provides an update based on 2019 data on the impact on public health, reveal that 2,6 million of annual deaths are attributed to alcohol consumption, which represents 4,7% of the total. Deaths due to psychoactive drugs are in 0,6 million.
According to the dossier, it is estimated that 400 million people They lived with dysfunctions due to drug use in the world. Of these, 209 million people had alcohol dependence.
Effective treatment options exist for substance use disorders, but treatment coverage remains at low levels, between less than 1% and no more than 35% in 2019
"Substance use seriously harms individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, mental disorders and, tragically, resulting in millions of preventable deaths each year," states Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO. “It places a heavy burden on families and communities, and increases exposure to accidents, injuries and violence,” he adds.
“To build a healthier and more equitable society, we must urgently commit to taking bold actions that reduce the negative health and societal consequences of alcohol consumption,” continues the CEO. The director of the WHO also points out the importance of treatments being accessible for all.
Effects of alcoholism
The report highlights that, despite some reduction in alcohol-related mortality rates since 2010, the total number of deaths remains high and amounts to 2,6 million in 2019. The highest figures are found in the European Region and the African Region and the highest proportion (13%) of deaths attributable to this substance in 2019 occurred among YOUNG between 20 and 39 years.
In low-income countries the mortality rate is higher than in high-income countries, according to the WHO. On the other hand, the report also points out that traffic accidents caused by driving after drinking, as well as self-harm or interpersonal violence, represent almost a third of deaths caused by alcohol. Another 284000 deaths were linked to communicable diseases.
Associated trends
The level of alcohol consumption per capita among drinkers amounts to an average of 27 grams of pure alcohol per day, approximately equivalent to two glasses of wine, two bottles of beer (33 cl) or two portions of spirits (4 cl). This level and frequency is associated with increased risks for numerous health conditions.
In 2019, 38% of current drinkers had engaged in binge drinking, defined as drinking at least 60g of pure alcohol on one or more occasions in the previous month, roughly equivalent to four or five glasses of wine, bottles of beer or portions of liquor. Continuous excessive consumption was more prevalent among men.
Inequality in access
There are effective treatment options for substance use disorders, but the treatment coverage continues at low levels. The proportion of people in contact with these types of services ranged from less than 1% to no more than 35% in 2019 (in countries that provided this data).
Most of the 145 countries that provided information did not have a specific budget line or data on government expenditures for the treatment of these ailments. Although mutual aid and peer support groups are useful resources for patients, almost half of the countries that responded noted that they do not offer such support groups for substance use conditions.
News: Sinc Agency
Source: WHO