WHO African Region: Community Activists Call on Health Leaders to Make Alcohol Policy Key Priority

The 71st regional committee meeting of WHO Africa was held in late August. Movendi International participated in this meeting where 47 member countries of the WHO African region gathered virtually to discuss all the important health matters of the region.
There were many ambitious plans on the agenda but one glaring omission was obvious. Alcohol harm and corresponding alcohol policy solutions were totally absent from all the health topics African leaders were discussing.
Given the heavy alcohol burden in the region; its connection to all the other significant health issues discussed at the meeting; and the alcohol industry practices to maximize profits at the cost of people’s health, African community activists are calling on their leaders to prioritize alcohol policy solutions.