WHO Report: Over Three Million Preventable Deaths Annually Linked to Alcohol and Drug Use

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted alarming statistics, revealing that over three million deaths each year are preventable and linked to alcohol and drug use. Of these deaths, 2.6 million were attributed to alcohol consumption alone, accounting for nearly five percent of all global deaths. The WHO noted that the highest numbers of these deaths were observed in the WHO European Region and the African Region, underscoring regional disparities in health outcomes.

The majority of these deaths were among men, particularly prevalent in the 20-39 age group, with death rates highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income nations. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the profound impact of substance use on individual health, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and contributing significantly to preventable deaths. He also highlighted the broader societal impacts, including increased exposure to accidents, injuries, and violence, placing a heavy burden on families and communities worldwide.

The report further revealed that an estimated 400 million people globally live with alcohol and drug use disorders, with more than half of them suffering from alcohol dependence. Despite these staggering figures, the coverage of treatment for substance abuse disorders remains alarmingly low across many countries, ranging from less than one percent to a maximum of 35 percent of those in need. The WHO called for accelerated global action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.5 by 2030, focusing on reducing alcohol and drug consumption and improving access to quality treatment for substance use disorders to mitigate these devastating health impacts.