UN: The abuse of alcohol has killed more than 3 million people in 2016

Drinking too much alcohol has killed more than 3 million people in 2016, mostly men, according to the World Health Organization.

The US health agency has also warned that current policy responses are not enough to reverse the trends of increased consumption over the next 10 years.

In a new report released Friday, the agency said about 237 million men and 46 million women were facing alcohol problems, the highest prevalence in Europe and the Americas. Europe has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol worldwide, although it has already fallen by 10% since 2010.

About one-third of alcohol-related deaths result from injuries, including car accidents and self-harm, while about one in five is due to digestive disorders or illnesses. cardiovascular. Cancers, infectious diseases, mental disorders and other health problems are also to blame.

"Many people, their families, and their communities are suffering the consequences of alcohol abuse through violence, injury, mental health issues, and diseases such as cancer and stroke," Tedros said. Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of WHO. "It is time to step up actions to prevent this serious threat to the development of healthy societies."

The average daily consumption of alcohol among consumers is about two glasses of wine, a large bottle of beer or two glasses of spirits. Globally, about 2.3 billion people are current drinkers.

The report, the third in a series after 2010 and 2014, is based on information from 2016 – the latest data available. The WHO said trends and projections indicate an expected increase in global per capita consumption of alcohol over the next decade, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Americas.

"The current policy responses in countries are certainly not enough to reverse the trends seen in many parts of the world or to significantly improve this situation," said Dr Vladimir Poznyak, coordinator of Drug Addiction Management at the Ministry of Health. 39; WHO. unit, told reporters.

"By examining trends in alcohol consumption in many countries from 2000, you can see ups and downs, determined by different factors," said Poznyak, citing levels of social development, economic context, political measures and cultural trends. .

He said the data showed, for example, that alcohol consumption tended to decline in countries facing an economic crisis.

Mr Poznyak said it was "imperative that governments put in place measures to mitigate the harms associated with this increase".

The Distilled Spirits Council, which fights for the industry in the United States, said in a statement that it supports WHO's goal of reducing harmful use. alcohol.

"However, we are concerned that some policy recommendations, such as increased taxes on alcohol, are misguided and do not effectively fight against harmful consumption," the report adds.

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Maria Cheng, medical editor of the Associated Press in London, contributed to this report.