Over 230 diseases, injuries linked to alcohol consumption: Ho Chi Minh City CDC

The warning was issued on Sunday as health experts addressed the growing health and social risks linked to alcohol use, particularly among young people.

Excessive drinking has been quietly shortening life expectancy and is becoming a leading cause of illness and premature death, experts said.

Early identification and timely intervention for high-risk drinkers are key to reducing both health and social consequences.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), individuals scoring between eight and 15 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test are classified as high-risk drinkers.

At this level of consumption, even without clear clinical symptoms, individuals face increased risks of accidents, violent behavior, and reduced work performance.

If sustained, such drinking patterns can significantly increase the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

The HCDC asserted that alcohol is responsible for more than 230 diseases and injuries, ranging from cancer and cardiovascular conditions to mental disorders and cognitive decline, as well as social consequences such as traffic accidents and domestic violence.

In a statement, the WHO said “when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.”

Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including common forms such as bowel and breast cancer in women.

Ethanol, a type of alcohol, causes cancer through biological processes as it is broken down in the body, meaning any drink containing alcohol, regardless of its price or quality, carries a risk of cancer, the WHO said.

Health experts recommend that the most effective way to protect their health is to stop drinking altogether.

For those unable to quit completely, they should reduce consumption, with men limiting intake to no more than two standard drinks per day and women to one, and drinking no more than five days per week, the HCDC advised, citing the WHO.

One standard drink is equivalent to approximately three-quarters of a 330ml beer at five percent alcohol, 100ml of wine at 13.5 percent, or 40ml of spirits at 30 percent.

The HCDC also stressed that adjusting drinking habits can help prevent alcohol dependence, protect overall health, maintain productivity, and contribute to a safer and healthier community.

In a 2024 report, the WHO said alcohol consumption is responsible for 2.6 million deaths globally each year and leads to disability and poor health in millions of people.

Overall, the harmful use of alcohol accounts for 4.7 percent of the global burden of disease, the agency added.