Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 24, 2025 Healthcare
Ahead of the winter holidays, when alcohol consumption traditionally increases, the World Health Organization (WHO) reminds everyone that alcohol remains a key risk factor for injuries and violent incidents. According to a new WHO report, one in three deaths from injuries and violence in Europe and Central Asia is linked to alcohol consumption.
According to 2019 data, nearly 145,000 injury deaths in countries in the WHO European Region were directly related to alcohol. Most often, these were self-harm, road traffic accidents, and falls. Experts emphasize that no other psychoactive substance causes such widespread harm—both accidental and intentional.
Karina Ferreira-Borges, WHO Regional Advisor on Alcohol, notes that alcohol not only causes serious noncommunicable diseases, including seven types of cancer, but also significantly reduces a person's ability to control their behavior, impairs coordination and reaction time, and increases the propensity to engage in risky behavior. This is why it so often causes preventable injuries and deaths.
Alcohol and violence: a dangerous connection
Alcohol remains one of the most persistent factors triggering aggression and violence. In 2019, approximately 26,500 deaths due to violence were recorded in the region, and over 40 percent of them were alcohol-related. More than a third of suicides were also alcohol-related.
The WHO emphasizes that alcohol harms not only the drinker but also those around him, especially women and children. Alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for intimate partner violence. However, official statistics reflect only a small fraction of the true scale of the problem, as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear of seeking help.
A threat to youth
The WHO is particularly concerned about the impact of alcohol on adolescents and young adults. In this age group, it is a leading cause of disability and premature death, primarily due to injury.
According to Jonathan Passmore, WHO Regional Road Safety Advisor, young people are less likely to drink regularly, but are more likely to consume large amounts in short periods. This behavior dramatically increases the risk of road accidents, drowning, falls, as well as violence and self-harm. Furthermore, alcohol negatively impacts brain development, impairing memory, learning, and decision-making, which increases the likelihood of long-term consequences.
Eastern Europe is in the lead
Significant regional variations in alcohol-related injury rates persist in Europe. The highest mortality rates are found in Eastern European countries. In some, more than half of all injury deaths are alcohol-related, while in Western and Southern European countries, this figure often falls below 20 percent.
Experts attribute this gap to differences in consumption culture, the prevalence of episodic drinking, and the effectiveness of government control measures—from sales regulations to access to treatment.
What can be done
The WHO is calling on countries in the region to take proactive and targeted action. Experts cite increased prices and taxes on alcohol, restrictions on the hours and locations of its sale, strict regulation of alcohol marketing, increased enforcement of drunk driving, and the introduction of early detection of harmful alcohol use among patients in healthcare settings as among the most effective measures.
Ahead of the holidays, the WHO reminds us that moderation in alcohol consumption, avoiding driving after drinking, and paying close attention to one's own health can significantly reduce the risk of both unintentional and intentional injuries.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.