Production Losses Associated with Alcohol-Attributable Mortality in the European Union

Abstract

The economic aspects of alcohol misuse are attracting increasing attention from policy makers and researchers but the evidence on the economic burden of this substance is hardly comparable internationally. This study aims to overcome this problem by estimating production losses (indirect costs) associated with alcohol-attributable mortality in 28 European Union (EU) countries in the year 2016. This study applies the prevalence-based top–down approach, societal perspective and human capital method to sex- and age-specific data on alcohol-related mortality at working age. The alcohol-attributable mortality data was taken from estimates based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Uniform data on labor and economic measures from the Eurostat database was used. The total production losses associated with alcohol-related deaths in the EU in 2016 were €32.1 billion. The per capita costs (share of costs in gross domestic product (GDP)) were €62.88 (0.215%) for the whole EU and ranged from €17.29 (0.062%) in Malta to €192.93 (0.875%) in Lithuania. On average, 81% of the losses were associated with male deaths and mortality among those aged 50–54 years generated the highest burden. Because alcohol is a major avoidable factor for mortality, public health community actions aimed at limiting this substance misuse might not only decrease the health burden but also contribute to the economic welfare of European societies.

What are the Economic Costs to Society Attributable to Alcohol Use? A Systematic Review and Modelling Study

“…The majority of studies provided cost estimates for European countries (n = 16) or the high-income North America region (n = 7), with other regions being underrepresented (n = 1 Australasia, n = 1 high-income Asia Pacific, n = 1 Southern Sub-Saharan Africa, and n = 3 South-East Asia) or not presented at all. Almost all studies reported both direct and indirect cost estimates, with two studies providing only direct cost estimates [26,27] and one study providing only indirect cost estimates [28]. The majority of studies reported cost estimates for entire countries, while one study referred to 28 European countries [28], and 10 studies provided subnational estimates [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

Production Losses Attributable to Suicide Deaths in European Union

“…This is the rst study which aims to identify the cross-country economic burden of suicide in general population by estimating the production losses associated with suicide deaths in 28 EU countries. By applying a HCA model (designed [15] and used previously for alcohol-attributable mortality [16]) and Eurostat data, I obtained highly comparable estimates which re ect the speci city of economic burden experienced in particular countries.…”

Perceived Stress, Depression and Alcohol Use Disorders in College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Socio-Economic Dimension

“…This is considered to be very beneficial, as alcohol consumption is also a major problem that society should address. This burden is also evidenced by economic costs attributable to alcohol use and alcohol use disorders [20][21][22][23]. In the interests of economic prosperity and well-being, it is therefore important to reduce alcohol consumption in the population.…”

“…The economic burden can be associated with alcohol dependence, as people with alcohol dependence cause excessive costs in the economy [19]. Alcohol use and alcohol use disorders can be considered a major risk factor for many serious diseases and injuries, avoidable premature mortality, disability-adjusted life-years, but also increased health care expenditure and lost productivity, which undoubtedly affects the economic prosperity of countries and the well-being of their populations [20][21][22][23]. Based on these findings, the mental health and risky behaviour of the population should not to be overlooked.…”