5. Alcohol use

Question 1

Estimates of people using alcohol worldwide + deaths by alcohol

Answer 1

32,5% of total population (39% of men, 25% of women)

5.3% of all deaths (7th leading risk factor in premature deaths and disability)
higher in young people

Question 2

Possible interventions for alcohol use (8)

Answer 2

1. alcohol taxation
2. “availability theory” - economic & physical availability, legal drinking age
3. universal prevention programs
4. peer prevention programs
5. harm reduction programs
6. responsible server programs
7. breath testers
8. massmedia response

Question 3

Health consequences of alcohol use

Answer 3

cancer
cardiovascular disease
mental illness
fetal alcohol syndrome

Question 4

Social consequences of alcohol use

Answer 4

poverty
unemployment
domestic violence

Question 5

Specific risks related to alcohol use among young people (4)

Answer 5

• binge drinking (5 or more at a single occasion)
• frequent binge drinking (at least twice in the last 2 weeks)
• vehicle crashes, homicide, suicide
• adolescent brain less sensitive toward sedative effects of alcohol - higher risks

Question 6

Specific risks related to alcohol use among women (3)

Answer 6

(traditional gender norms intersect the consequences)
- drinking in private
- secondary effect of alcohol use by their male partners
- risky sexual behavior

Question 7

Gender sensitive programs

Answer 7

• developed by and for women
• include prevention programs specific to women, like family planning services
• concerns about intimate parner violence: making policies etc

Question 8

WHO: principles of reducing the harmful use of alcohol (7)

Answer 8

1. Multisectoral action
2. Universal health coverage
3. Life course approach
4. Protection from commercial interests
5. Equity-based approach
6. Human rights approach
7. Empowering of people and communities