سـمـاح
06-29-2009, 04:24 PM
Alcohol link to one in 25 deaths
One in 25 deaths across the world are linked to alcohol consumption, Canadian experts have suggested
Worldwide, average alcohol consumption is around 12 units a week - but in Europe that soars to 21.5.
The report authors warn the effect of alcohol disease is similar to that of smoking a decade ago.
The analysis also found that 5% of years lived with disability are attributable to alcohol consumption.
The paper says that, although there have been some benefits of moderate drinking in relation to cardiovascular disease, these are far outweighed by the detrimental effects of alcohol on disease and injury
In addition to diseases directly caused by drinking, such as liver disorders, a wide range of other conditions such as mouth and throat cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, depression and stroke are linked to drinking
Drinking patterns do vary around the world, and the researchers point out that most of the adult population - 45% of men and 66% of women - abstain from drinking alcohol for most of them for their life
Across the Americas, average consumption is 17 units per week, while the Middle East was the lowest at 1.3 units per week
Death rates
For 2004, the latest year for which comparable data are available on a global level, 3.8% of all global deaths (around 1 in 25) were attributable to alcohol
Overall, alcohol-attributable deaths have increased since 2000 mainly because of increases in the number of women drinking.
Europe had the highest proportion of deaths related to alcohol, with 1 in 10 deaths directly attributable.
Within Europe, the former Soviet Union countries had the highest proportion at 15%, or around one in seven deaths.
Of all years lived with disability attributable to alcohol, 34% were experienced by people aged 15-29, 31% in the 30-44 age group, and 22% by those aged 45-59.
Writing in The Lancet, the researchers led by Dr Jurgen Rehm said: "Globally, the effect of alcohol on burden of disease is about the same size as that of smoking in 2000, but it is greatest in developing countries
But they added: "This finding is not surprising since global consumption is increasing, especially in the most populous countries of India and China.
"
'Irresponsible sale'
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: "This study is a global wake-up call
"We need an international framework convention for alcohol control, similar to that on tobacco, as soon as possible, to put into practice the evidence-based measures needed to reduce alcohol-related harm
One in 25 deaths across the world are linked to alcohol consumption, Canadian experts have suggested
Worldwide, average alcohol consumption is around 12 units a week - but in Europe that soars to 21.5.
The report authors warn the effect of alcohol disease is similar to that of smoking a decade ago.
The analysis also found that 5% of years lived with disability are attributable to alcohol consumption.
The paper says that, although there have been some benefits of moderate drinking in relation to cardiovascular disease, these are far outweighed by the detrimental effects of alcohol on disease and injury
In addition to diseases directly caused by drinking, such as liver disorders, a wide range of other conditions such as mouth and throat cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, depression and stroke are linked to drinking
Drinking patterns do vary around the world, and the researchers point out that most of the adult population - 45% of men and 66% of women - abstain from drinking alcohol for most of them for their life
Across the Americas, average consumption is 17 units per week, while the Middle East was the lowest at 1.3 units per week
Death rates
For 2004, the latest year for which comparable data are available on a global level, 3.8% of all global deaths (around 1 in 25) were attributable to alcohol
Overall, alcohol-attributable deaths have increased since 2000 mainly because of increases in the number of women drinking.
Europe had the highest proportion of deaths related to alcohol, with 1 in 10 deaths directly attributable.
Within Europe, the former Soviet Union countries had the highest proportion at 15%, or around one in seven deaths.
Of all years lived with disability attributable to alcohol, 34% were experienced by people aged 15-29, 31% in the 30-44 age group, and 22% by those aged 45-59.
Writing in The Lancet, the researchers led by Dr Jurgen Rehm said: "Globally, the effect of alcohol on burden of disease is about the same size as that of smoking in 2000, but it is greatest in developing countries
But they added: "This finding is not surprising since global consumption is increasing, especially in the most populous countries of India and China.
"
'Irresponsible sale'
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance UK, said: "This study is a global wake-up call
"We need an international framework convention for alcohol control, similar to that on tobacco, as soon as possible, to put into practice the evidence-based measures needed to reduce alcohol-related harm