29 Jun 2009
One in 25 deaths across the world are directly related to excessive alcohol consumption, new findings have revealed.
Research from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada, revealed that the reason for the rise since 2000 is mainly down to the increase in women drinking heavily.
It was also revealed that, unlike other disease risk factors, the burden associated with alcohol is more common among younger people.
Europe had the highest number of alcohol-related deaths, with one in ten fatalities on the continent caused by drinking.
Lead study author Dr Jungen Rehm said that deaths could be reduced if those in power act on alcohol strategies.
"Today, we know more than ever about which strategies can effectively and cost-effectively control alcohol-related harms," he commented.
The research also showed that average alcohol consumption in Europe was significantly higher than in north America, with 12 standard drinks being consumed compared to between ten and 11 across the Atlantic.
Alcohol is currently the third most important risk factor for death in Europe behind smoking and raised blood pressure.
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