Publications

The RUS-AUDIT Validation Study Protocol: Adapting and validating the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in the Russian Federation (2021)

The study protocol can inform validation efforts in other countries, and the study result can be used in other countries with drinking patterns and health-care systems similar to those in the Russian Federation.

THE RUS-AUDIT PROJECT REPORT: Adapting and validating the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) in the Russian Federation (2021)

The present report describes the project implementation of the RUS-AUDIT validation study, its main outcomes, and the specific challenges and lessons learned during the large interregional study.

Regional technical consultation with member states on the working document for development of the action plan (‎2022–2030)‎ to effectively implement the global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol as a public health priority: Report (2021)

Fact sheet - 5 facts about alcohol and cancer

This factsheet provides five important facts for policy makers, health professionals and the general public about the links between alcohol consumption and a range of cancer types.

Fact sheet on a SAFER WHO European Region: developments in alcohol control policies, 2010-2019 (2021)

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the current status of the alcohol-attributable burden of disease in the WHO European Region and of the changes in alcohol consumption between 2010 and 2016.

Fact sheet on the SDGs: Alcohol consumption and sustainable development (2020)

The factsheet highlights positive examples of Member States’ experiences. It provides a short overview of the most cost-effective and feasible policy recommendations to reduce alcohol consumption and alcohol-attributable burden in the WHO European Region, in line with the European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.

Alcohol and cancer in the WHO European Region: An appeal for better prevention (2020)

This fact sheet provides up-to-date information and guidance on the links between alcohol and a range of cancers, including some of the most common types, such as female breast cancer and colorectal cancer, for those involved in designing and implementing policies that affect public health.

Regional consultation on the implementation of the WHO European Action Plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol (2012 – 2020). Final report (2020)

The present report summarizes the outcomes of the regional consultation with the Member States of the European Region on the implementation of the European action plan and the zero draft roadmap of actions to strengthen implementation of the action plan.

Implementing alcohol policies in the Commonwealth of Independent States: a workshop of “First Mover” countries (2020)

The present report summarizes the main outcomes of a WHO workshop on the implementation of alcohol control policies in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which can be considered as “first movers” of implementing alcohol control policies.

Alcohol marketing in the WHO European Region: update report on the evidence and recommended policy actions (2020)

This report analyses the current state of regulation concerning marketing of alcoholic beverages in Europe. It shows that, although most countries in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region have some form of marketing regulation, very few have statutory bans to limit the marketing of alcohol beverages.

What is the current alcohol labelling practice in the WHO European Region and what are barriers and facilitators to development and implementation of alcohol labelling policy? (2020)

Health Evidence Network synthesis report 68

Alcohol pricing in the WHO European Region: update report on the evidence and recommended policy actions (2020)

This report summarizes the current evidence base for alcohol pricing policies and considers how this compares to current policies in place across the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.

Fact sheet - Alcohol and COVID-19: what you need to know (2020)

The following factsheet provides important information that you should know about alcohol consumption and COVID-19.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about alcohol and COVID-19 (2020)

As part of its public health response, WHO has worked with partners to develop a set of new materials to address misinformation and provide guidance to individuals and countries during the pandemic.

Time to Deliver in Europe. Meeting noncommunicable disease targets to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (2019)

This short report sets out some of the key messages and shared learning from the first European high-level conference on NCDs held in Ashgabat in December 2013.

Status report on alcohol consumption, harm and policy responses in 30 European countries (2019)

Per capita alcohol consumption in the WHO European Region, including the European Union, is the highest in the world.

Alcohol policy impact case study: the effects of alcohol control measures on mortality and life expectancy in the Russian Federation (2019)

The experience gathered by the Russian Federation in reducing the burden of disease stemming from alcohol represents a powerful argument that effective alcohol policy is essential to improving the prospects of living long and healthy lives.

Planning healthy and sustainable meetings. A practical guide (2019)

The purpose of this manual is to offer guidance and provide feasible examples of how to plan healthier meetings and events at the WHO Regional Office for Europe and other workplaces wishing to promote health.

European Region Consultation on the implementation and achievements of the WHO European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol 2012–2020 (2019)

This report summarizes the outcomes of two consultation meetings convened in order to revisit the implementation of the policy areas for action defined in the European Action Plan to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol 2012–2020.

Action Plan on Youth Drinking and on Heavy Episodic Drinking (Binge Drinking) (2014–2016) Progress evaluation report (2019)

This report documents progress made in the activities that took place during the first period of the Action Plan, i.e. 2014–2016.

Editorial meeting of the EC/WHO report on Alcohol and Technical Consultation on the European Information System on Alcohol and Health, 8–9 October 2018. Meeting report (2019)

The overall aim of the meeting was to improve national and regional monitoring and reporting on alcohol and health.

Harmful use of alcohol, alcohol dependence and mental health conditions: a review of the evidence for their association and integrated treatment approaches (2019)

The evidence suggests clear associations between harmful alcohol use or dependence and the mental health conditions studied, although the causality and nature of the associations remain unclear.

Fact sheet (2018)

On alcohol consumption, alcohol-attributable harm and alcohol policy responses in European Union Member States, Norway and Switzerland

Alcohol consumption, harm and policy response fact sheets for 30 European countries (2018)

The 30 country fact sheets for EU Member States, Norway and Switzerland present data on consumption, harm and policy implementation for the year 2016, aiming to give guidance to national decision-makers for further priority-setting in the field of alcohol and public health.

Adolescent alcohol-related behaviours: trends and inequalities in the WHO European Region, 2002–2014 (2018)

This report presents the latest trends in alcohol consumption and drinking behaviours among 15-year-olds across the WHO European Region, taken from the HBSC study. It highlights gender and socioeconomic inequalities across the Region.

WHO alcohol brief intervention training manual for primary care (2017)

The manual has been developed to be used by Member States to expand and improve the training of health professionals on alcohol and SBI.

Alcohol labelling - A discussion document on policy options (2017)

This discussion document presents an analysis of the policy options available for introducing warning and product labelling on alcoholic beverage containers.

Alcohol taxation policy in Kyrgyzstan (2017)

This new report outlines the alcohol taxation policy in Kyrgyzstan between 2006 and 2016, and its impact on revenue and alcohol-related harm.

Alcohol as a public health issue in Croatia: Situation analysis and challenges (2017)

Harmful use of alcohol, as well as addiction, exerts a significant medical, social and economic burden on societies. This report provides a situation analysis of alcohol consumption, alcoholrelated harm, and existing policy measures in Croatia, and explores areas that would benefit from further strengthening.

Policy in action: A tool for measuring alcohol policy implementation (2017)

This document describes the construction of the EAPA composite indicators and presents an evaluation of the performance of Member States in the European Region in implementing the 10 action areas. The composite indicators measure not only the presence of alcohol policies but also their strictness and comprehensiveness.

Public health successes and missed opportunities. Trends in alcohol consumption and attributable mortality in the WHO European Region, 1990–2014 (2016)

This publication describes trends in alcohol consumption and attributable mortality.

Prevention of harm caused by alcohol exposure in pregnancy. Rapid review and case studies from Member States (2016)

This report gives an overview of the literature on interventions to prevent alcohol exposure during pregnancy that target both pregnant and non-pregnant women, in line with policy documents in the EU and the Region.

Alcohol and inequities. Guidance for addressing inequities in alcohol-related harm (2014)

This policy brief on alcohol-related harm is one of a series that describe practical actions to address health inequities in relation to one of the priority public health challenges facing Europe, the others being tobacco, obesity and injury.

Alcohol problems in the criminal justice system: an opportunity for intervention (2013)

Alcohol is linked with crime, especially violent crime. Many people are incarcerated because of alcohol-related crime. This publication describes an integrated model of care for alcohol problems in prisoners, with elements for best practice.

European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012–2020 (2012)

The action plan was endorsed by all 53 Member States in the European Region in September 2011. It includes a range of evidence-based policy options to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.

Handbook for action to reduce alcohol-related harm (2009)

The handbook is aimed primarily at people who work in health ministries, people who are developing a subnational or municipal alcohol strategy or action plan, and people who work in other government sectors on alcohol taxation, licensing or commercial communication policies.

Framework for alcohol policy in the WHO European Region (2006)

The framework aims to encourage and facilitate the development and implementation of global, regional, national and community policies and action to prevent or reduce the harm caused by alcohol.

European Charter on Alcohol, 1995

The English version also contains German, French and Russian translations.