Health at a Glance: Europe 2020
State of Health in the EU Cycle
The 2020 edition of Health at a Glance: Europe focuses on the impact of the COVID‑19 crisis. Chapter 1 provides an initial assessment of the resilience of European health systems to the COVID-19 pandemic and their ability to contain and respond to the worst pandemic in the past century. Chapter 2 reviews the huge health and welfare burden of air pollution as another major public health issue in European countries, and highlights the need for sustained efforts to reduce air pollution to mitigate its impact on health and mortality. The five other chapters provide an overview of key indicators of health and health systems across the 27 EU member states, 5 EU candidate countries, 3 European Free Trade Association countries and the United Kingdom. Health at a Glance: Europe is the first step in the State of Health in the EU cycle.
Alcohol consumption among adults
Alcohol-related harm is a major public health issue in the European Union. Alcohol use is responsible for some 255 000 to 290 000 deaths each year across EU countries (WHO, 2019; IHME, 2019). High alcohol consumption is associated with increased risk of heart diseases and stroke, liver cirrhosis, certain cancers and foetal alcohol disorders, but even moderate alcohol consumption increases the long-term risk of developing such diseases. Alcohol also contributes to morbidity and mortality through accidents and injuries, violence, homicide and suicide.