Economic Cost of Alcohol Consumption:
- A recent worldwide overview showed that the economic costs of harm due to alcohol amounted to $1306 per adult, or 2.6% of the global GDP. About 38.8% of these are incurred as direct costs, while an approximate 61.2% were due to the losses in productivity.
The Effect of Taxes on Alcohol Abuse:
- Over the last two decades, a growing number of economists have examined the impact of alcohol beverage taxes and prices on alcohol consumption and heavy drinking. Several of these studies have focused on high-risk populations, such as youth and young adults, including college students.
- This research, using a variety of different data and empirical approaches, has generally found that an increase in the prices of alcoholic beverages led to reductions in drinking, heavy drinking, and the consequences of alcohol use and abuse. These findings indicate that a rise in alcoholic-beverage taxes could be a highly effective option for reducing alcohol abuse and its consequences.
- According to a study conducted by the NCD Advisory Council’s signature initiative working group, if countries of the WHO European Region were to introduce a minimum level of 15% tax on the retail price per unit of alcohol, regardless of the type of alcoholic beverage, it would save 133,000 lives each year.
Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives:
- Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is the Largest Beer Producer in the World and the company launched its Global Smart Drinking Goals initiative in order to make a tangible contribution to the reduction of harmful use of alcohol globally.
- As part of the initiative, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) has committed to investing at least $1 billion across its markets in dedicated social marketing campaigns and programs to influence social norms and individual behaviors to reduce harmful use of alcohol. Another goal is to ensure that low- or no-alcohol beer products make up at least 20% of the global beer volume of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) by 2025.
- Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) has also committed to promote positive drinking through its ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ Action Plan. The plan aims to leverage Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) marketing and innovation to make moderation the norm and reach 1 billion people with dedicated responsible drinking messaging. DRINKiQ is a dedicated responsible drinking online platform by Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) that provides facts about alcohol, the effects of drinking on the body and the mind, and the impact of harmful drinking on individuals and society.
Ketamine Intervention to Treat Alcohol Use Disorder:
- Recent evidence suggests that ketamine may be an effective intervention to treat alcohol use disorder and alcoholic withdrawal. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) is a UK-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics to treat addiction, with a near-term focus on alcohol use disorder. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) expanded its commercial operations into the U.S. last year through its first licensing partnership agreement with Revitalist Lifestyle and Wellness Ltd. (RVLWF).
- According to Anthony Tennyson – the CEO of Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKNF) – the company has already signed licensing deals with several third-party clinics in North America and Europe to use the therapy and has established four of its own clinics in the UK and Norway.
Methodology:
- The most recent data regarding alcoholism rates in each country has been compiled by the World Health Organization, which recorded the percentage of the population aged 15 years and above with alcohol use disorder. When two countries had the same prevalence of alcohol use disorder, we ranked them by their total annual per capita consumption of pure alcohol.
Countries with the Highest Rates of Alcoholism in the World:
- Lebanon
- Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.7%
- In Lebanon, early initiation of alcohol drinking and the frequent and heavy consumption of alcohol among youth is on the rise, putting them at increased risk of multiple health, economic and social losses, and even mortality. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) seems to be influenced by several factors among the Lebanese population, including alexithymia, stress, anxiety, and work fatigue.
- United Kingdom
- Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.7%
- The economic burden of alcohol in the U.K. is estimated to be between 1.3% and 2.7% of the annual GDP ($27-$60 billion). Local authorities across England will benefit from an extra $534.5 million government funding until 2025 to improve drug and alcohol addiction and recovery.
- Peru
- Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 8.9%
- At least 35.2% of males and 11.6% of females reported drinking at least two to four times a month in Peru. Since alcohol laws in the South American country are very lax despite a legal drinking age, minors also often drink with their parents. Pisco is a favorite drink in the country and is to Peru what tequila is to Mexico.
- Finland
- Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 9.1%
- Alcohol was found to be the biggest cause of preventable deaths in 15 welfare regions across Finland, while suicide was the highest factor in 5 regions and ischemic heart disease in 3. Compared with other countries in the OECD area, Finland has relatively high levels of taxation for all types of alcoholic beverages.
- Togo
- Population with Alcohol Use Disorder: 9.5%
- The daily average consumption of alcohol in Togo was 13g of pure alcohol for men and 9g for women. Tchoukoutou is a home-brewed beer that is central to Togolese social life and rituals.
- Switzerland
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Addressed in the Article:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Targets Identified:
- Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
- Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
Indicators Mentioned or Implied:
- Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders.
- Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of occupational injuries with disaggregation by sex and migrant status.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Targets Indicators SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment. Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of occupational injuries with disaggregation by sex and migrant status. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships. Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.