WHO Reveals Global Alcohol Consumption and Health Trends in New Report.

In the latest Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) offers a comprehensive overview of alcohol consumption, harm, policy responses, and treatment capacities worldwide. The report draws from data collected by WHO Member States and is organized in line with health target 3.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focuses on strengthening prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

The report’s chapter on alcohol and health provides the latest data on global trends in alcohol consumption, disease burden, and policy responses. Additionally, it includes information on treatment capacities for substance use disorders, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

To better monitor progress towards SDG health target 3.5 in the treatment of substance use disorders, a new service capacity index is proposed as an additional indicator. This will help countries identify areas where they need to improve their response to substance abuse and prioritize resources accordingly.

The report concludes by outlining broad directions for international action to accelerate progress towards meeting this health target. This includes increasing investment in evidence-based interventions, promoting greater awareness of the harms associated with substance abuse, and improving access to treatment services for those affected by these disorders.