Addressing alcohol consumption and socioeconomic inequalities: how a health promotion approach can help

Overview

Alcohol consumption accounts for about 5% of the global burden of diseases but is unequally distributed across socioeconomic groups. Socioeconomic status has repeatedly been associated with an elevated risk of mortality. For alcohol consumption, the inequalities in morbidity and mortality are especially stark. Nevertheless, substantial evidence indicates that alcohol control policies can play an essential role in reducing socioeconomic disparities. 

This Snapshot is part of a series of briefs tackling critical issues related to the determinants driving the acceptability, availability and affordability of alcohol consumption and how it affects people and their communities. The briefs result from a quick scanning of the recent evidence on the topic, insights from leading experts, consultation with selected countries, and discussions during webinars convened to create a platform to match evidence, practice, and policies. It is intended for a broad audience, including professionals working in public health and local and national alcohol policy focal points, policy-makers, government officials, researchers, civil society groups, consumer associations, the mass media and people new to alcohol research or practice.