Alcohol consumption is a significant contributor to increased injury, violence, and premature deaths in Europe, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The continent has the highest alcohol consumption levels globally, resulting in substantial premature mortality and injury.
The WHO report, based on 2019 data, states that alcohol use is responsible for around 800,000 deaths each year in Europe, accounting for one in every eleven deaths. Approximately 145,000 injury deaths in the region were attributable to alcohol, with the largest categories being self-harm, road injuries, and falls. The organization notes that drinking has also been closely linked to interpersonal violence, including assaults and domestic abuse, and is a major contributing factor to violent injury deaths.
Young people are particularly at risk, as alcohol affects brain development and decision-making during adolescence and early adulthood. The WHO warns that drinking can impair memory and learning ability, increase the risk of long-term harm, including alcohol use disorders and other mental health problems. Among adolescents and young adults, alcohol remains a leading risk factor for injury-related disability and premature death.
According to Carina Ferreira-Borges, Regional Adviser for Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Prison Health at WHO/Europe, “alcohol is a toxic substance that not only causes seven types of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases, but also impairs judgment and self-control, slows reaction times, reduces coordination, and promotes risk-taking behavior.” This is why it is implicated in so many preventable injuries and injury deaths.
The data shows that Eastern European countries account for about half of all alcohol-attributable injury deaths, compared with less than 20% in western and southern parts of the region. In Russia, drinking habits have shifted over the past two decades, with the share of people who do not consume alcohol nearly doubling, according to recent surveys. The data also indicates that beer, rather than vodka, remains the most commonly consumed alcoholic drink.
The WHO’s findings highlight the need for continued efforts to address the risks associated with alcohol consumption in Europe. By understanding the extent of the problem and its impact on public health, policymakers and healthcare professionals can work to develop effective strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm and promote healthier behaviors across the region.