Arielle Cruz
The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) is a World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring system that assesses and tracks alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm, and policy responses in countries. It is an indispensable tool for policy development, evaluation, and global research, with around 200 indicators monitored at the country, regional, and global levels. GISAH data is sourced from various sources, including the WHO Global Survey on Alcohol and Health, government documents, national statistics, and data from the Global Burden of Disease Project. The harmful use of alcohol leads to approximately 2.6 to 3 million deaths annually and contributes to 230 different types of diseases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To assess and monitor the health situation and trends related to alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm, and policy responses in countries |
| Harmful alcohol use deaths | 2.6 million people annually (according to WHO) |
| Number of diseases with a significant link to alcohol | 230 |
| Worldwide total consumption in 2019 | Equal to 5.5 litres of pure alcohol per person 15 years and older |
| Percentage of worldwide consumption that is unrecorded | 21% |
| Number of indicators monitored | Approximately 200 |
| Data sources | WHO Global Survey on Alcohol and Health, government documents, national statistics, data from the Global Burden of Disease Project, national and international surveys |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related harm
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can pose health risks. However, most alcohol-related harm arises from heavy episodic or continuous drinking. The impact of alcohol consumption is influenced by various factors, including the total volume consumed, the frequency of drinking, and individual characteristics such as age, sex, and health status. Certain vulnerable groups may be more susceptible to alcohol's toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-inducing effects.
The harmful use of alcohol contributes to a range of diseases and injuries. Firstly, alcohol misuse can lead to liver disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer, such as liver cancer. Secondly, alcohol consumption increases the risk of injuries, including road traffic accidents, falls, drowning, burns, and intentional injuries like sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can also result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which may cause developmental disabilities and birth defects.
The economic burden of alcohol misuse is substantial, costing the NHS an estimated £3.5 billion per year and society as a whole £21 billion annually in the UK. Similarly, the rate of hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption has been increasing for both men and women, with males having a significantly higher rate of admissions than females.
Effective alcohol control interventions and policies are crucial to reducing alcohol-related harm. It is essential for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and to take proactive measures to protect themselves from its harmful effects.
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Alcohol consumption trends
The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) is a tool used by the WHO to assess and monitor health situations and trends related to alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption trends refer to the changes in the patterns of alcohol consumption over time, including the frequency, quantity, and type of alcohol consumed by different demographic groups. These trends can vary across different regions and countries and are influenced by various social, cultural, and economic factors.
Recent alcohol consumption trends in the United States show a shift towards moderation and decreasing alcohol intake. Surveys indicate that a significant portion of Americans, particularly young adults, plan to reduce their alcohol consumption or abstain completely. This trend is driven by a growing perception that drinking alcohol is unhealthy. According to a 2024 survey by NCSolutions, nearly half of Americans (49%) stated they intended to drink less in 2025, with Generation Z leading the way, as 65% of respondents in this age group planned to decrease their alcohol intake.
The trend towards moderation has resulted in a growing market for non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beverage options. Beer, wine, and spirits sales have stagnated, while lower-alcohol alternatives, such as beer and wine, are gaining popularity. This shift in consumer preferences is prompting beverage companies to expand their no- and low-alcohol offerings.
Alcohol consumption patterns are also evolving in terms of drinking occasions and settings. There is a move away from formal, high-profile drinking events toward more casual and spontaneous drinking occasions. For example, beverages like Prosecco, RTDs, rosé wine, bitters, and spirit aperitifs are gaining popularity in informal gatherings and brunches. This shift is influenced by changing social norms, economic constraints, and a preference for relaxed drinking occasions.
While the trend towards moderation is prominent, there are also regional variations. For instance, in developing markets such as India, China, and South Africa, alcohol consumption is expected to grow due to factors such as rising disposable incomes, expanding middle classes, and increasing urbanisation. These markets show a preference for premium and innovative products, along with a willingness to explore new drinking occasions and categories.
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Policy responses
The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) is an indispensable tool for assessing and monitoring the health situation and trends related to alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harm, and policy responses in countries. The harmful use of alcohol results in millions of deaths annually and plays a significant role in 230 different types of diseases. It also negatively impacts the well-being and health of those around the drinker.
GISAH provides valuable information on levels and patterns of alcohol consumption at the global, regional, and country levels. It monitors indicators such as per capita alcohol consumption, alcohol-attributable diseases, and social consequences. Before releasing this data, the WHO undertakes an intensive process of data validation, ensuring accurate and comparable information.
One key focus of policy responses informed by GISAH is the reduction of harmful alcohol use through evidence-based strategies. This includes the WHO's Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, endorsed by member states, which aims to reduce the harmful use of alcohol through a comprehensive approach.
Additionally, policy responses may include the development and implementation of national and regional monitoring systems, in line with GISAH's regional components. These systems aim to strengthen the capacity for data collection, analysis, and dissemination at the country level, ensuring consistent and comparable data over time.
Furthermore, policy responses may address specific areas of concern, such as unrecorded alcohol consumption, which accounts for a significant proportion of worldwide consumption, or target specific populations, such as adolescents and young adults, who are particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol. By utilising the data and insights provided by GISAH, policymakers can design and implement targeted interventions to reduce alcohol-related harm and improve health outcomes on a global scale.
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Unrecorded consumption
The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) is a tool used by the World Health Organization to monitor and assess the health situation and trends related to alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. According to GISAH, unrecorded alcohol consumption accounts for 21% of the worldwide total consumption.
Unrecorded alcohol consumption refers to alcohol that is not taxed and is outside the usual system of governmental control. This includes alcohol that is produced and consumed outside of governmental oversight, such as home-brewed or informally produced alcohol, smuggled alcohol, surrogate alcohol (not intended for human consumption), or alcohol obtained through cross-border shopping.
The estimation of unrecorded alcohol consumption is crucial when assessing a country's overall alcohol consumption. Country-level proportions of unrecorded alcohol consumption are calculated using regression analysis, taking into account various factors such as urbanization, migration rates, malnutrition, sanitation, education levels, and per capita gross domestic product.
Unrecorded alcohol consumption can have more harmful effects compared to regulated alcohol. The lower price, irregular labelling, unknown ethanol content, and potential presence of toxic compounds make it appealing to consumers from low socioeconomic backgrounds and those with underlying alcohol use disorders.
The regulation of unrecorded alcohol production and consumption is a complex issue. Policy options must consider the cultural and social aspects of each context, as well as the interplay of factors that contribute to the acceptability, availability, and affordability of alcohol.
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Global alcohol action plan
The Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH) is a tool for assessing and monitoring health situations and trends related to alcohol consumption and related harm. It also monitors policy responses in different countries. The harmful use of alcohol leads to around 2.6 million deaths annually and is a significant factor in 230 types of diseases.
The Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 (GAAP) was endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to reduce the harmful use of alcohol through evidence-based strategies at national, regional, and global levels. The action plan was initiated by the 75th World Health Assembly, which declared alcohol a public health priority. The targets set by the plan include a 20% per capita reduction in consumption by 2030 and propose that 70% of countries should implement measures to reduce the affordability, availability, and marketing of alcohol.
The plan outlines six key action areas:
- Implementation of high-impact strategies and interventions
- Advocacy, awareness, and commitment
- Partnership, dialogue, and coordination
- Technical support and capacity building
- Knowledge production and information systems
- Resource mobilization
Each of these areas includes measures for "economic operators" in alcohol production and trade, with clear expectations of the industry in relation to health. The plan invites the industry to enhance activities that are less harmful to health and stop those that are more harmful.
However, despite the formal adoption of the plan, there has been little movement from stakeholders on the key action areas. Health scientists warn that international efforts are urgently needed to meet the targets set out in the plan, especially in low- and middle-income countries where alcohol markets are expanding. They emphasize that failure to make progress will result in dire consequences for these countries, where health infrastructure and resources are already scarce.
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Frequently asked questions
GISAH stands for Global Information System on Alcohol and Health. It is a tool used by the World Health Organization to assess and monitor health situations and trends related to alcohol consumption and harm in countries.
Some key challenges include weak, fragmented, or lacking national monitoring systems, difficulties in estimating consumption of informally and illicitly produced alcohol, poor comparability of indicators used across different jurisdictions, limited geographical representation of studies on the association of alcohol consumption with health outcomes, and a lack of international multi-country research projects on alcohol epidemiology using common research protocols.
Collecting data on alcohol consumption and related harm is critical to improving health and well-being by informing the development and evaluation of policies, strategies, and interventions aimed at reducing the burden associated with alcohol, drugs, and addictive behaviours.
