World Health Organisation Q&A – How can I drink alcohol safely?

Dr Lars Møller, Programme Manager, Alcohol and Illicit Drugs at WHO/Europe, dispels some misconceptions about the so-called safe level of drinking in a question and answer (Q&A) session.

How can I drink alcohol safely?
This might not be the answer people want to hear, but there is no safe level for drinking alcohol. Of course there is lower-risk drinking, but WHO does not set particular limits, because the evidence shows that the ideal situation for health is to not drink at all. Alcohol is closely related to around 60 different diagnoses and for almost all there is a close dose–response relationship, so the more you drink, the higher your risk of disease. Less is better.

Doesn’t everyone drink?
Only half the world’s population drinks alcohol. The European Region has the world’s highest levels of alcohol use and the highest levels of alcohol-related harm. Alcohol is one of the Region’s leading causes of ill health and premature death.

Is alcohol really that bad?
We know alcohol causes cancer and high blood pressure, and there are a large number of alcohol-related injuries each year. And alcohol doesn’t just harm the drinker; it’s related to violence on the street and in the family.

World Health Organisation Q&A – How can I drink alcohol safely?

Comments