According to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report, dangerous alcohol consumption was responsible for 3.3 million deaths worldwide in 2012.
“This actually translates into one death every 10 seconds,” said Shekhar Saxena, head of the WHO’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse department.
Alcohol overuse not only leads to addiction, but it can put people at a higher risk of over 200 disorders like tuberculosis and pneumonia.
The report also said that:
- Men are more likely than women to experience alcohol-related deaths
- Drinking among women is on the rise
- Low-income communities are at a greater risk for social and health complications related to alcohol
- 16% of drinkers partake in binge drinking, which is the most dangerous form of alcohol consumption
Europe has the highest alcohol consumption per capita, while consumption has remained stable in the United States.
