Event highlights
During the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2025, WHO/Europe collaborated with the EASL on a number of sessions to raise awareness on the harms caused by alcohol. WHO/Europe contributed to a high-level opening session on “Turning evidence into action: tackling alcohol-related harms” and a live studio event “Beyond the myths: alcohol harm and policy action” – featuring diverse voices of influencers, people with lived experience and policy-makers –as well as offering 4 training sessions on screening and brief interventions: “Helping any patient to drink less alcohol”.
The Congress also provided a platform to mark the official launch of the European Health Alliance on Alcohol (EHAA) on 8 May 2025.
About EHAA
The EHAA is a coalition of European health organizations representing over 1.2 million medical and health-care professionals. The EHAA provides clinical leadership and works to reduce alcohol-related harm across Europe through evidence-based policy advocacy, professional education and engagement with policy-makers.
The EHAA was formed after an initial meeting – the European Alcohol Health Alliance Symposium – co-hosted by WHO/Europe and the EASL in December 2024 in Copenhagen. The Symposium convened 21 organizations to explore the potential of forming a European alliance of health professional bodies to collaborate on reducing alcohol-related health harms and promoting well-being for people in Europe.
Members of the EHAA (as of 30 July 2025):
- European Renal Association (ERA)
- European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL)
- United European Gastroenterology (UEG)
- European Psychiatric Association (EPA)
- European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS)
- European Medical Students’ Association (EMSA)
- World Family Doctors – WONCA Europe
- European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)
- European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN)
- European Society of Radiology (ESR)
- European Academy of Paediatrics (EAP)
- Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME)
- European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN)
- Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL)
- European Society of Cardiology (ESC)
- International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM)
- European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM)
- European Academy of Neurology (EAN)
- European Cancer Organisation (ECO)
The EHAA presents a valuable opportunity to amplify clinical voices in Europe and make meaningful impact in improving the well-being of European citizens.
Event notice
Alcohol is one of the leading causes of liver disease globally and this year, it will take centre stage at the EASL Congress 2025. WHO/Europe is proud to take part in this global gathering of hepatology experts to bring into focus alcohol-related harms and promote effective, evidence-based policies that protect and improve public health.
Throughout the Congress, EASL and WHO/Europe will reaffirm the need to reduce the burden of alcohol harm across Europe. High-level sessions and expert-led discussions will highlight the critical role of public health information, policy implementation, early intervention and cross-sector collaboration in reducing the burden of alcohol and supporting liver health.
WHO/Europe has collaborated closely on a number of dedicated sessions, including the opening session of the conference, which aims to integrate public health perspectives of alcohol use into clinical discussions. On day 1, a live studio session in interview format, moderated by WHO, will also explore the lived experience of alcohol-related harms and the urgent need for stronger clinical care and more equitable policy measures.
On day 2, a joint WHO/Europe and EASL session will mark the official launch of the European Health Alliance on Alcohol, introducing a collaborative initiative to unite health professional societies and organizations across Europe, working together to strengthen awareness and implementation of evidence-based policies that protect health from alcohol-related harm. The session will also feature the perspectives of those who provide health care for children and youth and will further delve into joint visions, the public health rationale behind WHO’s recommended “Best Buys” and the value of personal stories in shifting public and political narratives.
Finally, interactive workshops on Alcohol Screening and Brief Interventions (SBIs) for Congress participants, co-developed by WHO/Europe and EASL’s Scientific Committee, will offer hands-on learning opportunities for health-care professionals seeking to incorporate alcohol harm reduction into everyday practice.
By contributing to these conversations, WHO/Europe aims to foster stronger alliances across disciplines and advance integrated, sustainable approaches to alcohol harm reduction that are anchored in science, equity and real-world impact.
For more information about WHO/Europe participation in the Congress, please contact Eftyhia Helis at helise@who.int.