The World Health Organization (WHO) works toward helping prevent and cure all forms of disease on the planet. In its most recent report released in 2011, the world’s leading body has announced it is tacking the global problem of alcohol and the problems its consumption causes the Earth and its inhabitants.
The official public health objective on alcohol of WHO is to reduce the health burden caused by the harmful use of alcohol and, thereby, to save lives, reduce disease and prevent injuries.
There is no denying that alcohol is both hazardous and harmful. Alcohol is a major global contributing factor to death, disease and injury: to the drinker through health impacts, such as alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, cancers and injuries; and to others through the dangerous actions of intoxicated people, such as drink– driving and violence or through the impact of drinking on fetus and child development.
Alcohol is a major cause in approximately 2.5 million deaths each year.
Alcohol consumption is the world’s third largest risk factor for disease and disability. In middle-income countries, it is the greatest risk.
4% of All Deaths on Planet Due to Alcohol
The WHO report stated that alcohol is also a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries and a component cause in 200 others. It is estimated that 4% of all deaths worldwide are attributed to alcohol, greater than deaths caused by HIV/AIDS, violence or tuberculosis.
If all of the above didn’t frighten off those considering the consumption of alcohol, add on that it is also associated with many serious social issues, including violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace.
Why then to people to continue to drink? Would being educated about alcohol deter you when you were a teen? Will they deter you now?