Factsheets

WTO GATS Alcohol and Development, ADD Factsheet by FORUT: Issues with the strongest relevance for alcohol policies within the World Trade Organisation system are handled through discussions under the GATS, the General Agreement on Trade in Services. While the relevant negotiations do not cover the products themselves, they address the services related to the products (like sales and marketing of alcohol).

World Bank on Alcohol and Poverty, ADD Factsheet by FORUT: This report highlights the correlation between economics and alcohol, noting that alcohol-related mortality is often the highest among the poorest people. It addresses the need to make a priority of addressing alcohol-related harm and pays particular attention to the relationship between alcohol and youth, along with making several suggestions for actions and approaches to reducing alcohol-related harm.

World Health Report, ADD Factsheet by FORUT: The World Health Reports, published by the World Health Organization, analyse more than 20 important risk factors for ill health and mortality. In this 2002 report, conclusions were drawn regarding alcohol-related health problems, claiming that they have reached alarming proportions and that alcohol has become one of the most important risks to health around the world. It is the leading risk factor in developing countries with low mortality rates and ranks third in developed countries. The report details alcohol's disease burden, its attributable death rate, and other related health risks and consequences of alcohol.

Focus Areas

There are three focus areas: HIV/AIDS, the World Health Organization and GATS negotiations and issues of gender as they relate to and are affected by alcohol use and abuse.

Publications and Resources

For a variety of publications produced by the WHO regarding alcohol and developing societies, as well as low and middle income countries, click here.

Useful Links