The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Tuesday that alcohol causes nearly three million deaths annually, with a slight reduction observed in recent years but the toll remaining “unacceptably high.” According to the WHO’s latest report on alcohol and health, alcohol consumption contributed to approximately 4.7% of all global deaths in 2019, totaling 2.6 million fatalities. Men accounted for nearly three-quarters of these deaths. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the significant health risks associated with alcohol, including chronic diseases and mental health disorders, emphasizing that younger people are disproportionately affected.
