The harmful use of alcohol is one of the world’s leading health risks. It is a causal factor
in more than 60 major types of diseases and injuries and results in approximately 2.5
million deaths each year. If we take into consideration the benefi cial impact of low risk
alcohol use on morbidity and mortality in some diseases and in some population groups,
the total number of deaths attributable to alcohol consumption was estimated to be 2.25
million in 2004 (WHO, 2009a). This accounts for more deaths than caused by HIV/AIDS
or tuberculosis. Thus, 4% of all deaths worldwide are attributable to alcohol. The harmful
use of alcohol is especially fatal for younger age groups and alcohol is the world’s leading
risk factor for death among males aged 15–59.