On 16 September 2014, European Union (EU) the Member States, represented by the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action (CNAPA), endorsed the Action Plan on Youth Drinking and on Heavy Episodic Drinking (Binge Drinking) (2014-2016). 

The Action Plan was intended to complement the EU Strategy to Support Member States in Reducing Alcohol-related Harm and to provide a means to strengthen long-standing policy implementation work from the Member States in the area of alcohol while addressing key identified areas, namely youth drinking and heavy episodic drinking (HED).

In an EU-funded...

Open Access article

Abstract:

Background

Alcohol use has increased globally, with varying trends in different parts of the world. This study investigates gender, age, and geographical differences in the alcohol-attributable burden of disease from 2000 to 2016.

Methods

This comparative risk assessment study estimated the alcohol-attributable burden of disease. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) were estimated by combining alcohol exposure data obtained from production and taxation statistics and from national surveys with corresponding relative risks obtained from meta-analyses and...

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of mouth cancer, pharyngeal (upper throat) cancer, oesophageal (food pipe) cancer, laryngeal (voice box) cancer, breast cancer, bowel cancer and liver cancer.

Having conversations with patients about the amount of alcohol they consume can be challenging. However, it is vital that health care professionals are fully informed and feel confident in advising services users about the potentially unexpected harm that alcohol can cause.

Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) has published a brochure that examines the trends of alcohol-attributable...

Abstract

There is increasing emphasis on screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) for unhealthy alcohol use in the general hospital, as highlighted by new Joint Commission recommendations on SBIRT. However, the evidence supporting this approach is not as robust relative to primary care settings. This review is targeted to hospital-based clinicians and administrators who are responsible for generally ensuring the provision of high quality care to patients presenting with a myriad of conditions, one of which is unhealthy alcohol use. The review summarizes the major...

Globally, alcohol consumption is estimated to cause more than 10% of the burden of noncommunicable diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver, respiratory disease, pancreatitis, cancers (oral and pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colorectal), strokes and hypertension.

Dag Rekve and colleagues claim: "Despite the existence of cost effective interventions to reduce harmful use of alcohol, many countries are not giving it the attention it deserves"

This analysis, published by the bmj, provides evidence that points to a continuing need for action on alcohol in all countries. 

It also...