View article

Non-communicable diseases constitute more than 72% of annual global deaths and are now rightfully receiving increased attention in the global health agenda. However, one of the primary risk factors for non-communicable diseases continues to be neglected: alcohol. Although the alcohol industry uses sophisticated public relations campaigns to maintain this near invisibility within the health agenda, the global health community is also culpable. Global health policy makers do not appreciate the evidence on alcohol, identify and confront interference from the alcohol industry, or prioritise resources, policies, and programmes for alcohol control. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, alcohol, like asbestos and tobacco, is a Group 1 carcinogen and can cause multiple forms of cancer, but particularly breast cancer; health risks are associated with drinking at any degree of consumption.