WHO, June 26 (V7N)- In a sobering revelation, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 2.6 million people die annually due to alcohol consumption. Additionally, 4.7 percent of deaths are attributed to the use of psychoactive drugs. The report, released on Tuesday (June 25), underscores the severe impact of substance abuse on global health.

The WHO's analysis of 2019 public health data highlights that approximately 400 million people worldwide suffer from alcohol-related diseases, with 29 million individuals being directly dependent on alcohol. The most affected demographic is individuals aged 20 to 39, who face increased mortality due to alcohol-induced conditions such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Geographically, alcohol consumption per capita is highest in European countries, averaging 9.2 liters per person annually. The Americas follow with an average consumption of 7.5 liters. In contrast, the lowest levels of alcohol consumption are observed in Muslim-majority countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The WHO report calls for urgent public health interventions to address the widespread issue of substance abuse and its devastating consequences on global populations.

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