Findings published in the Lancet today show that alcohol now poses an even greater threat to global health than poor sanitation, air pollution, and malnutrition.
The 1990 – 2010 comparative risk assessment in the Global Burden of Disease 2010 report suggests alcohol has risen from sixth to third in the rankings. High blood pressure and tobacco smoking (including passive smoking) come first and second respectively.
The launch of the report coincides with today’s Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 event in central London, which provides a platform for researchers to present their data and discuss the implications of their data for the future of public policy.