Alcohol-attributable deaths have fallen by around a quarter worldwide since 2010, according to a new analysis of Global Burden of Disease data.
A new analysis of global health data has found that alcohol-attributable mortality has fallen by approximately 26% since 2010, suggesting significant progress towards international targets to reduce alcohol-related harm.
The report, published by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), analysed the latest figures from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study.
Alongside the decline in alcohol-related deaths, the analysis found that age-standardised disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) linked to alcohol fell by around 23% over the same period. High alcohol use exposure, measured using the Global Burden of Disease Summary Exposure Value (SEV), declined by approximately 10%.
Progress towards 2030 target
The findings are measured against the 2010 baseline established when United Nations member states adopted the World Health Organisation’s Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.
Under that strategy, countries agreed to work towards reducing the harmful use of alcohol by 20% by 2030.
According to IARD, the reported 26% reduction in alcohol-attributable mortality suggests substantial progress towards that objective.
Julian Braithwaite, president and chief executive of IARD, said: “These findings are encouraging and show that meaningful reductions in alcohol-related harm are achievable.
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“But global averages mask significant differences between countries and regions, and continued progress cannot be taken for granted. Looking across mortality, disability and exposure together provides a stronger evidence base to help governments, healthcare providers and communities make more informed decisions, strengthen ongoing efforts and focus resources where they are most needed.”
Multiple factors at play
The report does not attribute the improvement to any single intervention.
Instead, IARD said the trend is likely to reflect the combined effects of changing drinking patterns, improvements in healthcare, public health initiatives and broader social and economic development.
The analysis draws on estimates from the latest Global Burden of Disease study through 2024.
IARD also noted that the Global Burden of Disease study and World Health Organisation produce separate estimates using different methodologies, meaning their figures should not be compared directly. Instead, the analysis is presented as a complementary assessment of long-term trends in alcohol-related harm.
Debate over alcohol policy continues
The findings arrive as debate continues over the most effective ways to reduce alcohol-related harm.
As previously reported by the drinks business, the World Health Organisation argued in January that alcoholic drinks have become “too affordable” and called on governments to strengthen alcohol taxation. The UN health agency described higher alcohol taxes as one of the strongest public health measures available to reduce harmful consumption, alongside wider prevention strategies.
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