More must be done to reduce alcohol harm in Europe, says WHO
The WHO-recommended “best buys” for alcohol policy can easily help countries to reduce health harms related to alcohol consumption. But according to the new WHO/Europe report Making the WHO European Region SAFER. Developments in alcohol control policies, 2010–2019, not many member states use these measures. Experience from Lithuania, Scotland and the Russian Federation shows how effective they can be when countries choose to implement them.
The WHO European Region has the highest level of alcohol consumption in the world. Here, alcohol use leads to almost one million deaths each year and is associated with more than 200 diseases and injuries, including the leading causes of death such as cardiovascular diseases, injuries and cancers.
New Lancet report underlines the ‘unacceptable high mortality’ of liver disease hospital admissions
A new report from the Lancet Commission into liver disease in the UK claims that urgent action is required to tackle the ‘unacceptable high mortality’ of patients who are admitted to hospital with liver disease. It reports the shocking statistic that 24% of patients admitted to hospital with liver disease die within 60 days.
The report, New dimensions for hospital services and early detection of disease, recommends the full implementation of alcohol care teams in hospitals and that stronger fiscal measures are introduced to reduce alcohol consumption.
Lead Author, Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, said: ‘The Budget was a missed opportunity for the government to act on the urgent need to take fiscal measures to improve public health. But the ongoing review of the alcohol duty system is another chance for health to be made a priority.’
How can we tackle alcohol and substance harm in the LGBT+ community?
The Glasgow LGBTQI+ Substance Use Partnership was set up in August 2019 to address the disproportionate impact of substance use on LGBTQI+ people and communities in the city by improving service inclusivity and by proactively engaging with the community around reducing harm. In this blog, David Barbour, Alcohol Brief Intervention Practitioner for the Glasgow Council on Alcohol, reflects upon the success of the project.
Building a healthy recovery: Addressing alcohol harm in Wales during and after the pandemic
As Wales gets ready to elect its representatives in the Senedd on 6 May, Adfam, Alcohol Change UK, Barod, CAIS, Kaleidoscope and WCADA are asking candidates from all parties to back three proposals to reduce alcohol harm and build a healthy recovery from the pandemic:
- Renewing and resourcing the Substance Misuse Delivery Plan throughout the next Senedd term from 2021 to 2026
- Ensuring that support is available in all parts of Wales for people with alcohol problems
- Maintaining remote support for the families of drinkers, and working for a return to face-to-face support outside the home as soon it’s safe.
You can find more details of these proposals, and the thinking behind them, in the briefing document the six charities have published, Building a healthy recovery, available in Welsh and English.
Director of Balance, Colin Shevills, retires after years of campaigning to reduce alcohol harm
Colin Shevills, director of Balance, stepped down after 12 years at the helm of the North East Alcohol Office last month.
Colin and colleagues set up Balance in 2009 and he spearheaded a series of high-profile health campaigns and campaigned for measures to reduce harm from alcohol.
Alice Wiseman, director of public health for Gateshead and alcohol policy lead for the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: ‘Colin has been a champion for people in the north east and an advocate for health, a passionate believer in the right to know about the risks of alcohol to make informed choices and to question the current status quo of profits above health. His work has led to the north east achieving an international reputation for its prevention work on alcohol.’
New podcast: how the impact of alcohol pricing policies might differ according to gender
The Addiction Audio podcast includes interviews with Addiction authors about their work, details about publishing in the journal, and other topics of interest to the field of addiction, for researchers, clinicians, students, those with lived experience, and anyone with an interest in the topic.
In this episode, Rob Calder speaks to Professor Petra Meier about her research using computer modelling to estimate how the impact of alcohol pricing policies might differ according to gender.
Great reads available on the SHAAP website
Visit the SHAAP website for their latest blogs. These include: Developments in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – a UK perspective, by Dr Lisa Schölin and Alcohol monopolies by Robin Room.
Events
The Lancet Commission into Liver Disease in the UK: New Dimensions for Hospital Services and Early Detection of Disease
British Liver Trust
22 April 2021
17:00-18:30
Alcohol Occasionals – Drinking transitions during lockdown
SHAAP
28 April 2021
12:30 – 14:00
Recordings and event reports from the Alcohol Occasionals are also available.
Alcohol Policy Research Network launch event
ACORN
29 April 2021
13:00 – 16:00
Save the date and follow this page for more details
