In This Article
Subscribe to Health Updates
WHO Planning Global Strategy to Curb Youth Binge Drinking
May 27, 2008 12:43 PM
The World Health Organization is devising a strategy to reduce youth binge drinking, which is blamed for millions of deaths annually.
30-Second Summary
Worldwide, 2.3 million youths die each year from alcohol consumption, and the World Health Organization (WHO) wants to develop a plan to address the problem.
In England, the number of people entering hospitals with alcohol-related illnesses has doubled over the last 10 years. Alcohol consumption in France has generally dropped, but a new trend of binge drinking has emerged there.
Binge drinking, a practice of quickly ingesting a large quantity of alcohol to become intoxicated, can have serious side effects like alcohol poisoning and even death.
Much information has suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may have at least some health benefits. For example, it could reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
“There is quite a bit of literature that supports the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption on health,” says Ethel Siris, an osteoporosis researcher.
The WHO’s strategy, set to be published in two years, could include such ideas as targeting alcohol marketing practices, promoting public awareness campaigns and addressing pricing matters.
In England, the number of people entering hospitals with alcohol-related illnesses has doubled over the last 10 years. Alcohol consumption in France has generally dropped, but a new trend of binge drinking has emerged there.
Binge drinking, a practice of quickly ingesting a large quantity of alcohol to become intoxicated, can have serious side effects like alcohol poisoning and even death.
Much information has suggested that moderate alcohol consumption may have at least some health benefits. For example, it could reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
“There is quite a bit of literature that supports the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol consumption on health,” says Ethel Siris, an osteoporosis researcher.
The WHO’s strategy, set to be published in two years, could include such ideas as targeting alcohol marketing practices, promoting public awareness campaigns and addressing pricing matters.
Headline Link: WHO wants to reduce youth binge drinking
The World Health Organization is receiving support for its plan to rein in youth binge drinking. Health activists are welcoming the idea, and the Global Alcohol Producers Group said it will work with the WHO to reduce “irresponsible and inappropriate consumption” of alcohol, calling the WHO’s alcohol resolution “balanced and constructive.”
Source: Reuters
Related Topics: Risks and benefits of alcohol consumption
Risks
Many college students consume enough alcohol on their 21st birthdays to seriously endanger their health, said a study by the University of Missouri. Of the 2,518 current and former college students surveyed, 34 percent of men and 24 percent of women consumed 21 or more drinks to celebrate the birthday. Binge drinking’s risks “are not limited to those with a history of problematic drinking,” one researcher explained, “and there needs to be a strategy to address a custom that can lead to alcohol poisoning and, possibly, death.”
Source: ScienceDaily
Potential benefits
According to WebMD, severe alcoholism may place a person at risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis, but moderate consumption of alcohol can actually help prevent factures and low bone density. For men, two drinks a day amounts to moderate alcohol consumption; for women, the volume is one drink a day or less.
Source: WebMD
Reference: Alcoholism resources
Children who begin drinking in middle school or earlier increase their chances of becoming victims of sexual assault, violent crime or automobile crashes.
Source: MedlinePlus
FindingDulcinea’s Alcoholism Web Guide recommends some of the best online resources for learning about alcoholism, conducting an alcoholism intervention, finding addiction recovery information, locating support resources and more.
Source: findingDulcinea
Most Recent Beyond The Headlines
© 2010 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
