Burden of alcohol consumption in the Americas and regional implications of the WHO global strategy

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2004, alcohol consumption caused over 347,000 deaths and over 13 million of disability adjusted life years lost in the region of the Americas, placing alcohol as the leading risk factor among 24 other risk factors assessed globally and regionally. Alcohol consumption is relatively high, more prevalent among males, particularly young people, in a pattern that involves intoxication and high levels of drinking per occasion, thus resulting in injuries and early death, besides a range of acute and chronic problems. Countries in the region vary in relation to their alcohol policies, many in Latin America and the Caribbean with few controls and low enforcement of existing controls. At the same time, several countries rely on alcohol production and sales as a source of their government revenues, and have been ambivalent about the implementation of effective policies and interventions which would impact on consumption levels. Given the relative lack of policy expertise in Latin America, a limited number of NGOs dedicated to the advocacy for alcohol policies and interventions, low community action, and an active alcohol industry seeking or having a key role in policy decision making, a global strategy may be of fundamental importance to reducing alcohol problems in the Region. At regional level, collective action can be facilitated by the leadership and technical cooperation of PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) with other national and international stakeholders, through a regional strategy that builds upon and complements the efforts of the WHO.