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“The dangers of alcohol are not abstract,” says Dr. Carina Ferreira-Borges, that is WHO European regional advisor for alcohol. “It could be heart and liver disease. It could be a baby being exposed to alcohol before birth. It could be anxiety and depression. It could be a woman getting breast cancer without ever being told that alcohol is a risk.”
This launch highlights the lack of awareness regarding the health risks associated with alcohol.
‘Not an awkward addition’
“We know that screening and brief interventions work, but only if health professionals feel able to use them,” he continued.
“A doctor or nurse who has a few minutes between patients can now ask the AI assistant in the hub how to ask about alcohol consumption and get answers based on WHO evidence. This makes conversations about alcohol a normal part of care, not an awkward add-on.”
Only 15 percent of people surveyed in 14 European Union countries knew that alcohol could cause breast cancer, the WHO said, adding that alcohol actually causes at least seven types of cancer as well as cardiovascular and liver disease.
“Alcohol is so ingrained in our culture and social life that even doctors and nurses feel uncomfortable asking patients about alcohol, especially when the patient comes in for something seemingly unrelated,” says Dr. Ferreira-Borges. “Add time pressure, limited training, and uncertainty about how to approach the subject without sounding judgmental, and you’re missing a major opportunity for prevention.”
Prevention opportunities
To address this gap, WHO Europe has launched its new program alcohol screening and brief intervention centerwhich brings together evidence, guidance and practical tools to help health professionals discuss alcohol-related risks.
Healthcare workers can start with a 10-question screening test to assess a patient’s alcohol-related risk, then use the center’s AI assistant to prepare for the conversation or find relevant guidance.
“Science is evolving and keeping up with the evidence about alcohol and its relationship to more than 200 diseases and health conditions is not always easy,” said Dr. Ferreira-Borges.
Capturing links
Alcohol is one of the least discussed behavioral risk factors in health services, according to WHO, and is less frequently discussed than smoking, physical activity or diet.
Many health professionals have been trained to recognize the symptoms associated with heavy drinking, “but not necessarily understand and communicate the risks associated with more regular consumption,” continues Dr. Ferreira-Borges.
“For example, if they have patients with high blood pressure or mental health problems, alcohol rarely comes up, although it can play an important role.”
