Alcohol and non-communicable diseases (NCDs): time for a serious international public health effortadd
Together with smoking, diet and physical inactivity,
consumption of alcohol is among the four most
important risk factors for non-communicable disease
(NCD). Alcohol consumption, especially heavy
consumption, impacts on cancer, liver cirrhosis and
stroke. To reduce the burden of NCD, effective alcohol
policies should be implemented locally, nationally and
internationally.
Each year, in connection with the opening of the General
Assembly sessions, the United Nations holds a special
session on an agreed-upon topic. In 2011, the topic is
non-communicable diseases (NCDs), arguing for their
inclusion in the Millennium Development Goals, with the
primary goal of emphasizing the importance of addressing
such diseases in order to reduce the global burden of
illness, not only in rich countries, but also in poor countries
as a consequence of major epidemiological transitions
[1–2; Parry et al. unpublished data].
