The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Tuesday that alcohol consumption is responsible for approximately 3 million deaths worldwide each year, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths globally. According to the WHO’s latest report on alcohol and health, 2.6 million deaths were attributed to alcohol consumption in 2019, with nearly 75% of those deaths occurring among men.
While the organization noted a slight decrease in alcohol-related deaths since 2010, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that the health and social burden of alcohol use remains “unacceptably high,” particularly among younger people.
The report highlighted the various risks associated with alcohol consumption, including drunk driving, alcohol-induced violence and abuse, and a range of diseases and disorders.
