Addis Ababa: Over 3 million deaths per year were attributable to alcohol consumption and drug use, a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) found.
Of these deaths, 2.6 million were attributable to alcohol consumption, accounting for nearly 5 per cent of all deaths, with the highest numbers in the WHO European Region and African Region.
Notably, the vast majority of these deaths were among men, with the highest prevalence in the 20-39 age groups, WHO indicated.
The death rates were also highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.
“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,’ said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
‘It places a heavy burden on families and communities, increasing exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence,” he added.
The report found an estimated 400 million people lived with alcohol and drug us
e disorders globally. More than half of these individuals lived with alcohol dependence.
Given the immense health concerns, the report urged accelerated global action towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030 by reducing alcohol and drug consumption and improving access to quality treatment for substance use disorders.
Around the world, the highest levels of per capita alcohol consumption were found in the WHO European Region and the Region of the Americas.
WHO called on governments and partners to intensify actions in various strategic areas in order to accelerate progress towards achievement of SDG target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.
“To build a healthier, more equitable society, we must urgently commit to bold actions that reduce the negative health and social consequences of alcohol consumption and make treatment for substance use disorders accessible and affordable,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom, said.
Strategic a
reas include increased awareness through a global advocacy campaign, scaling up the capacity of health care systems and the training of health professionals, and accelerating resource mobilization.
WHO is also urging a re-commitment to the implementation of the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, a comprehensive strategy to effectively reduce the harmful use of alcohol worldwide.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency