One in three deaths from injuries is caused by alcohol, says WHO Europe.
In a statement, he notes that during the holidays, festivities can often include increased alcohol consumption, which can increase the risk of injuries, including injuries from traffic accidents, falls, burns, poisoning and interpersonal violence.
Based on 2019 data, it appears that no other psychoactive substance contributes as strongly to unintentional and intentional injuries, from road traffic deaths to self-harm, posing a particularly dangerous threat to young people, the WHO adds.
He notes that despite progress over the past two decades, the WHO European Region continues to show disparities. He adds that age-specific mortality rates are higher in eastern Europe.
