Global burden of disease and injury and economic cost attributable to alcohol use and alcohol use disorders

Abstract

Alcohol consumption has been identified as an important risk factor for chronic disease and injury. METHODS Alcohol exposure and prevalence of alcohol use disorders were estimated based on reviews of the literature. After identifying other major disease categories causally linked to alcohol, attributable fractions were estimated for each such category by sex, age and WHO region, as well as for selected large countries. These attributable fractions were applied to the 2004 Global Burden of Disease estimates for burden of mortality and disease; the latter measured in disability adjusted life years (DALYs). In addition,social costs of alcohol in selected countries were compared also based on a systematic review. FINDINGS Overall, there is wide variation around the global consumption average of 6.2 litres of pure alcohol adult per capita per year. The majority of adults abstain. The net impact of alcohol consumption on health is detrimental, with an estimated 3.8% of all global deaths and 4.6% of global DALYs were attributable to alcohol. Alcohol attributable burden of disease and injury is higher in men and affects relatively young cohorts (especially related to injury). Overall, burden is closely related to average volume of alcohol consumption is stronger on the poor and marginalized. INTERPRETATION Alcohol consumption globally is one of the major avoidable risk factors, and steps for reducing alcoholattributable burden and costs should be initiated.