The 61st World Health Assembly which met at Geneva in May 2008 has passed a significant resolution requesting the Director-General to prepare a Draft Global Strategy to Reduce Harmful Effects of Alcohol (WHA61/13).

The Global Alcohol Policy Alliance (GAPA) Chairman Mr. Derek Rutherford welcomed the passage of a resolution on Alcohol Policy at the World Health Assembly. “We are pleased that at last WHO has responded to the epidemic of alcohol problems that is increasing with growing alcohol consumption in all parts of the world. GAPA calls on WHO to develop strong evidence based global strategy to reduce these problems. We particularly note that the resolution properly distinguishes the roles of commercial and other participants in the development of the strategy and rejects WHO collaboration with the alcoholic beverage industry. GAPA looks forward to working with WHO and other Civil Society Organizations in the important task before us."

It has to be recalled that the 58th World Health Assembly had called on WHO to intensify international collaboration in reducing public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol. The World Health Assembly also requested the Director General to report to the 60th World Health Assembly on “Evidence based strategies and interventions to reduce alcohol related harm” as well a “Global Assessment of public health problems caused by the harmful use of alcohol” (WHA 58.26-4). These reports were submitted at the 60th World Health Assembly in April 2007 (WHA 60/14) and (WHA 60/14 Add.1)

The hazardous and harmful use of alcohol has now become one of the most important risks to health: it is the leading risk factor in developing countries with low mortality rates and ranks third in developed countries, according to the World Health Report 2002.

While alcohol use is deeply embedded in many societies, recent years have seen changes in drinking patterns across the globe: rates of consumption, drinking to excess among the general population and heavy episodic drinking among young people are on the rise in many countries.

Health problems associated with alcohol consumption have reached alarming levels, and alcohol use contributes to a wide range of diseases, health conditions and high-risk behaviours, from mental disorders and road traffic injuries, to liver diseases and unsafe sexual behaviour.

Through the WHA resolution, WHO’s Secretariat was requested to address a number of areas related to the issue of harmful use of alcohol, including: gathering and sharing scientific information on alcohol consumption and related public health problems; preparing research and policy initiatives and recommendations for effective policies and interventions; providing support to Member States in monitoring alcohol-related harm and implementing effective strategies and promoting identification and management of alcohol-use disorders in primary health care.

Download the Resolutions

WHA 61.13 - Report by the Secretariat to the 61st World Health Assembly Strategies
to reduce the harmful use of alcohol [pdf 136kb]

WHO/EB122.R2 - Resolution by the Executive Board Strategies to reduce the
harmful use of alcohol [pdf 74kb]

WHA58.26 - Public health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol [pdf 16kb]

WHA 60.14 - Evidence based strategies and interventions to reduce alcohol related harm [pdf 39kb]

WHA 60.14-Add1 – Global Assessment of public health problems caused by
harmful use of alcohol” [pdf 40kb]