September 29,2018:
On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) released SAFER, a new initiative and technical package outlining the 5 high-impact strategies that can help government to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and related health as well as the social & economic consequences.
SAFER is the newest WHO-led road-map to support governments in taking practical steps to accelerate progress on health, beat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by addressing the harmful use of alcohol and achieve development targets.
Director-General of the WHO announced, "We are proud to introduce SAFER a package of proven interventions to reduce the harms caused by alcohol, and a new partnership to catalyze global action."
Since 2008, WHO has been in the process of drafting a 'Global Strategy' to reduce the harmful use of alcohol.
On Friday 21 May 2010 the Sixty-third session of the World Health Assembly adopted by consensus resolution WHA63.13, which endorses the global strategy.
The global strategy focuses on 10 Key Areas of policy options & interventions at the National Level and 4 Priority Areas for Global action.
The 10 areas for National Action are:
- leadership, awareness and commitment;
- health services' response;
- community action;
- drink-driving policies and countermeasures;
- availability of alcohol;
- marketing of alcoholic beverages;
- pricing policies;
- reducing the negative consequences of drinking and alcohol intoxication;
- reducing the public health impact of illicit alcohol and informally produced alcohol;
- monitoring and surveillance.
The 4 Priority Areas for Global Action are:
- public health advocacy and partnership;
- technical support and capacity building;
- production and dissemination of knowledge;
- resource mobilization.
The implementation of the global strategy will require active collaboration with Member States, with appropriate engagement of international development partners, civil society, the private sector, as well as public health and research institutions.
SAFER: what it contains ?
- SAFER provides five high-impact strategic actions that are prioritized for implementation to promote health and development
- Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability
- Advance and enforce drink driving countermeasures
- Facilitate access to screening, brief interventions, and treatment
- Enforce bans or comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion
Action is needed to reduce the burden of alcohol-related harm in low, middle and high-income countries.
Source: WHO
Picture Source :
