3.3M Alcohol-Related Deaths Annually, WHO Report Notes, Urges Greater Action

News outlets discuss a new WHO report on global alcohol consumption and the health impacts.

Agence France-Presse: Alcohol kills one person every 10 seconds worldwide: WHO
“Alcohol kills 3.3 million people worldwide each year, more than AIDS, tuberculosis and violence combined, the World Health Organization said Monday, warning that booze consumption was on the rise…” (Larson, 5/12).

CBS News: Alcohol deaths on the rise worldwide
“Approximately 3.3 million deaths worldwide in 2012 were the result of alcohol consumption, according to a new report from the World Health Organization. Additionally, 16 percent of people in the world who use alcohol could be categorized as binge drinkers…” (Firger, 5/12).

Reuters: WHO wants action as alcohol kills 3.3 million people in 2012
“…’More needs to be done to protect populations from the negative health consequences of alcohol consumption,’ said Oleg Chestnov, a WHO expert on chronic disease and mental health…” (Kelland, 5/12).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. agency urges greater national action to curb alcohol-related deaths, diseases
“…The ‘Global status report on alcohol and health 2014’ found that alcohol consumption increases people’s risk of developing more than 200 diseases including liver cirrhosis and some cancers, as well as making people more susceptible to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia…” (5/12).

United Press International: Alcohol-related deaths on the rise, says World Health Organization
“…The report, which examined trends in 194 WHO member countries, noted Europe has the world’s highest per capita consumption rate of alcohol, although the rate has remained stable in the past five years. Drinking increased in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions in that time…” (Adamczyk, 5/12).

VOA News: WHO: ‘Binge-Drinking’ Most Harmful to Health
“…The report warns drinking is increasing among women and this is of concern as they are more vulnerable to some alcohol-related health conditions than men…” (Schlein, 5/12).

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