The researchers’ findings indicate a higher health loss risk for men than women, with the
attributable health burden for males charting three times more than for females. The study
concluded that, upon evaluation of all of the associated risks, consuming zero standard (10 g)
drinks per day is the only way to minimize the overall health risk.
As found within the context of the study:
"Failing to address harms from alcohol use, particularly at high levels of consumption, can have dire effects on population health. … High and high-to-middle SDI locations [countries] need to consider stronger alcohol reduction policies, such as those recommended by WHO, in an effort to reduce population-level consumption.
"Conclusion
Alcohol use is a leading risk factor for disease burden worldwide, accounting for
nearly 10% of global deaths among populations aged 15-49 years, and poses dire
ramifications for future population health in the absence of policy action today. The
widely held view of the health benefits of alcohol needs revising, particularly as improved methods and analyses continue to show how much alcohol use contributes to global death and disability. Our results show that the safest level of drinking is none. This level is in conflict with most health guidelines, which espouse health benefits associated with consuming up to two drinks per day. Alcohol use contributes to health loss from many causes and exacts its toll across the lifespan, particularly among men. Policies that focus on reducing population-level consumption will be the most effective in reducing the health loss from alcohol use.[vii]
Canada has developed a National Alcohol Strategy to deal with the many types of harm caused by alcohol. Identified as a national priority for action, alcohol is noted as the substance that causes the most harm to Canadians next to tobacco, with over $14.5 billion in total costs for alcohol, compared to tobacco’s $12 billion. Over-consumption of alcohol can lead to chronic health conditions, injury, disease and death.
As early as 2005, calls to action have been published surrounding mitigating the harmful
impact of alcohol. In the National Framework for Action to Reduce the Harms Associated with
Alcohol and Other Drugs and Substances in Canada, directives were delivered to drastically
reduce the burdens associated with consumption.[viii]