8,300 deaths in the Netherlands due to alcohol

Hey, what a nasty head. Yet this is the stark reality. In the Netherlands, an estimated 8,300 deaths in 2019 were partly attributable to the use of alcohol. This is shown by a very comprehensive risk analysis as part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 (GBD) by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

Recently (October 2020), the renowned journal 'The Lancet' presented a very comprehensive international study that analyzed disease risk factors, including alcohol consumption, for 204 countries. The Netherlands is also included in this study with regard to alcohol use and the conclusion is that, according to this study, an estimated total of more than 8300 people died in the Netherlands in 2019, in which alcohol use played a role.

Significantly higher number than in previous estimates

The estimated number of more than 8,300 deaths in 2019, partly as a result of alcohol use, is considerably higher than an RIVM estimate made earlier in 2017. This came to about 1,900 Dutch alcohol deaths aged 20 and older. The IHME researchers based their findings on information from the World Health Organization Mortality Database, which for the Netherlands uses the causes of death statistics from Statistics Netherlands. There is, however, a different classification of causes of death.

Nearly 3,500 deaths from cancer

Most of the deaths that, according to the GBD researchers, can be partly attributed to alcohol, namely 3,494, are from cancers. For example, alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for colon cancer (1,140 deaths), esophageal cancer (854 deaths) and breast cancer (604 deaths). It also concerns cancer of the lips and mouth, the pharynx, the larynx and the liver.

Other causes of death

Alcohol consumption is also a risk factor for death from certain cardiovascular diseases, such as cerebral haemorrhage and cardiomyopathy (1,340 deaths), and from diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis (1,303 deaths). In addition, there have been an estimated 568 deaths from alcohol-related lung infections and tuberculosis. Alcohol addiction is responsible for 480 deaths. Finally, alcohol use is a risk factor for fatal accidents, for example in traffic and falling, but also for self-injury, suicide and violence.

Avoided death

The researchers also calculated how much death was avoided as a result of alcohol consumption. According to some studies, very moderate use has a mild protective effect in certain population groups against getting certain diseases and thus prevents death. The avoided deaths due to alcohol consumption in the Netherlands in 2019, according to the GBD researchers, were about 670 cases of coronary heart disease and about 100 cases of diabetes.

To startle?

Pretty confronting these numbers, isn't it? A moderate drinker is not in immediate danger. But a heavy or excessive drinker is certainly at risk. Curious how much you drink if you are a heavy, excessive or excessive drinker? Check the schedule below.

Do you now think: 'I recognize myself in one of the profiles of the above diagram'; talk to someone about it. For example, your doctor or a IkPas coach† You can also call the Alcohol Infoline: 0900-1995. Know that you are not alone.