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This study aimed at putting
together the published decreases in alcohol consumption
and in the mortality attributable to alcohol abuse in France;
and at discussing further indicators of the health and social
benefits.
Method: Consumption
(yearly litres of ethanol per capita) was reported since
1954 and put together, from 1979 to 1999, with three causes
of death: 1, alcoholic cirrhosis; 2, alcoholic cirrhosis
aggregated to unspecified cirrhosis and hepatomas; 3, oesophageal
cancer.
Results: Between 1954
and 1999, alcohol consumption decreased by almost a half
(by 46.5%).
The decrease in wine consumption prevailed. Between 1954
and 1999, the mortality from alcoholic cirrhosis decreased
by 54%.
Between 1979 and 1999, the decrease in mortality was: for
alcoholic cirrhosis, by 30%; for all cirrhosis aggregated
with hepatomas, by 22%; for oesophageal cancer, by
20%.
Discussion: Without
any prohibition and without public disturbances, a large
decrease in alcohol consumption was followed by a large
decrease in attributable mortality.
Preparing a further decrease by a half in alcohol consumption
during the next 50 years, are discussed additional
indicators able to convince public opinion of the link
between the decrease in consumption and the health benefits.
- BesanonF: Alcohol: decrease
in consumption and in attributable mortality in France.
Communication par affiche ESBRA 2005. Alcohol and Alcoholism
2005; 40 (Sup1): 162
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