Response to the WHO public consultation on the draft Implementation Framework/European Action Plan to reduce alcohol consumption
WHO/Europe has produced a draft Implementation framework to reduce alcohol consumption in the WHO European Region, 2022-2025 , to be submitted to the WHO Regional Committee for Europe at its 72nd session in September 2022. To this purpose, they opened a public consultation that aims to collect feedback on the draft framework that reflects regional needs and priorities.
EuroHealthNet welcomes this report, as alcohol (over)consumption constitutes one of the key risk factors for poor health and societal wellbeing, contributing to significant gaps in health outcomes across the life course, between and within European Members States. EuroHealthNet appreciates WHO attention to the social determinants of health and we believe that this science-based report will help steer policymaking in the right direction.
In our response to the consultation, we yet suggested that report should specify even more clearly that is a societal and political responsibility to create a framework where avoiding heavy drinking patterns is facilitated in any way possible, and that the effect on drinking behaviours by current public discourse should not be neglected or underestimated.