Alcohol consumption in Europe – What is needed for effective harm reduction? (EuroHealthNet speaking)

05 December, 2024.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, mental disorders, neurological disorders, and cancer are responsible for 80% of the disease burden in EU countries. They are the leading causes of avoidable premature deaths. The significant human and financial costs of NCDs are expected to rise due to an ageing EU population (European Commission).

Alcohol consumption is a major contributor to many NCDs, and Europe stands as the world’s highest alcohol-consuming region. According to the World Health Organization, liver disease, largely driven by alcohol consumption, is now the second leading cause of years of working life lost in Europe. Moreover, around 300,000 people in Europe die prematurely each year due to liver problems. There is a direct correlation between overall alcohol consumption
and liver mortality in 21 of 28 European Union (EU) Member States. Maintaining liver health is also essential for preventing raised cholesterol.

Although the European Commission supports EU countries in identifying and implementing effective policies and actions to reduce the burden of major NCDs, there are few alcohol-specific policies at the EU level.

Ongoing initiatives at the EU level, such as the EU’s Beating Cancer Plan and actions by the European Commission, including labelling ingredients and nutritional information and health warning labels on alcoholic beverages, are seen as opportunities to address the overall burden of alcohol-related diseases

For more information see here.