High alcohol use continues to challenge public health efforts globally, with deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to it showing varying trends across different countries. Despite advances made globally, Iran faces significant hurdles, as indicated by recent research detailing the growing burden of alcohol-related health issues. A comprehensive study titled "National and Subnational Epidemiology and Correlates of High Alcohol Use Attributable Burden in Iran from 1990 to 2021," published by researchers from Kerman University of Medical Sciences, highlights the alarming trends related to high alcohol consumption across the country.
According to report data extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, high alcohol use, defined as consumption above the theoretical minimum risk exposure level, continues to impose considerable health risks. Throughout 2021, the age-standardized DALY and death rates attributable to high alcohol use were calculated at 105.7 and 2.1 per 100,000 people, respectively. The total number of DALYs reached 95,275, and the death toll from alcohol-related health issues was reported at 1,694. Alarmingly, age-standardized DALY rates rose by 24.9% from 1990 to 2021, primarily affecting males who experienced dramatically higher rates than females.
The study emphasizes the widespread impact of alcohol use disorders, which were identified as the leading contributor to alcohol-attributable DALYs, accounting for 39.1. Further, the report notes significant increases across both death and disability-adjusted life years attributable to high alcohol use observed between 1990 and 2021.
Sistan and Baluchistan emerged as the province with the highest burden of alcohol use, both in terms of reported DALYs and death rates, closely followed by Golestan. Notably, the results also indicated greater alcohol-attributable burdens among males, accounting for 174.7 age-standardized DALYs versus 35.4 for females. Rates peaked among the elderly population, particularly those aged 95 and older. The findings clearly indicate continuing trends of high alcohol consumption, especially among vulnerable populations.
Researchers pointed out several contributing factors to the increasing burden of high alcohol use, particularly policy-related shortcomings. "Despite religious, regulatory, and policy efforts...these measures alone may not be sufficient to address the issue effectively," the authors of the article stated. While Iran's Ministry of Health has put forth programs aimed at reducing alcohol use, research highlights inadequate integration of these programs within the public health framework.
The data was derived from multiple sources, including population surveys, administrative reports, and cohort studies examining the relationship between alcohol and various health outcomes. Methodologically, the study employed the Global Burden of Disease 2021 framework and utilized statistical analyses through Python and R software methodologies. This analytical framework permitted researchers to dissect the alcohol-attributable health burdens across Iran's diverse provinces effectively.
Importantly, socioeconomic factors were shown to correlate with alcohol-attributable burdens. Consistency with global trends, the study found positive associations between higher socio-demographic index (SDI) values and age-standardized DALY rates attributable to alcohol use. This suggests complex interactions between socio-economic development and alcohol consumption trends, with richer provinces typically experiencing elevated burdens.
The findings indicate not just individual health consequences but wider public health challenges exacerbated by alcohol use, which often intertwines with social stigma and lack of access to treatment services. The zero-tolerance policy on alcohol, aimed at limiting overall consumption, also introduces unique challenges, as public health issues stemming from bootlegged alcohol and resulting health crises persist.
Therefore, addressing the rising burden of alcohol use requires comprehensive strategies beyond restrictive policies. The researchers advocate for targeted prevention and harm reduction strategies, as well as systematic efforts to reduce stigma surrounding alcohol use. They urge healthcare providers to help integrate alcohol treatment services effectively within Iran's existing public health system. The research calls attention to the public health urgency of the circumstances highlighted within this study.
Please note, the findings also illustrated decreases from 2019 to 2021, where both DALY and death rates related to high alcohol use reduced slightly during this period, which researchers attribute to the unique public health ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, this illuminating study stands as the most comprehensive analysis to date reflecting the high alcohol use burden across Iran from 1990 to 2021. By identifying key trends and regional differences, it paves the way forward for interventions and policies necessary to combat high alcohol use and its associated health outcomes effectively.