Trends in European liver death rates: implications for alcohol policy.
Changing alcohol consumption has led to a three- to fivefold increase in liver deaths in the UK and Finland, and a three- to fivefold decrease in France and Italy. Increasing consumption from a low baseline has been driven by fiscal, marketing and commercial factors--some of which have occurred as a result of countries joining the EU. In contrast consumption has fallen from previously very high levels as a result of shifting social and cultural factors; a move from rural to urban lifestyles and increased health consciousness. The marketing drive in these countries has had to shift from a model based on quantity to one based on quality, which means that health gains have occurred alongside a steady improvement in the overall value of the wine industry. Fiscal incentives--minimum pricing, restricting cross border trade and more volumetric taxation could aid this shift. A healthier population and a healthy drinks industry are not incompatible.
Jewell
Jo
J
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, European Public Health Alliance, Brussels.
Sheron
Nick
N
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000191:economics; D003469:Culture; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D040541:Marketing; D014920:Wine / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data