The WHO report states mortality from alcohol consumption is higher than those from
diseases such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. In 2016, the use of alcohol was the
cause of death for 5.3% of the population, or some 3 million people worldwide, with men
being at greater risk of death from alcohol consumption. The report further details life
impact by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), ranking at 132.6 million cases
Of the deaths attributed to alcohol intake, the report shows:
o 28.7% due to injury,
o 21.3% due to digestive diseases
o 19.0% attributed to cardiovascular diseases,
o 12.9% related to infectious diseases,
o 12.6% due to cancers.
Disability-adjusted life years impacts include 49% of cases due to mental health and
noncommunicable elements, and around 40% are due to injury. For persons aged 20-29
years, alcohol is directly associated with death in 13.5% of the population.[xiii]
Alcohol impacts the consumer in three ways:
1. Cellular intrusion toxicity, such as liver disease, cancer, cardiovascular involvement,
diabetes and obesity;
2. Alcohol dependency and addiction; and
3. Intoxication.