European Social Survey reveals findings about the health of Europe
A new European Social Survey (ESS) report, based on data from 21 countries, is analyzing attitudes towards physical and mental health in 21 European countries. The ESS shows: Alcohol use health determinants.
Conclusions of the ESS
The report concludes that a substantial number of Europeans suffer from a wide range of physical and mental health conditions, in part due to their economic and social conditions.
Other key findings
The authors also found that promoting healthy lifestyles alone does not seem to be a sufficient strategy for reducing health problems, and should be supported by income redistribution policies and improving physical working conditions.
Alcohol harm in Europe
Alcohol use is a major health determinant in Europe. Binge alcohol intake rates are particularly high in the UK and Portugal – frequent binge alcohol consumption is rare amongst the Nordic countries, and amongst women in central and eastern Europe. Looking at the quantity of alcohol consumed in all 21 countries, men consume almost twice as many units as women, and weekend day consumption is almost twice weekday consumption. The number of units of alcohol consumed is particularly high in Ireland whilst low rates of frequent alcohol consumption are reported in Israel and central and eastern Europe (especially amongst women).
Risk behaviour in 21 European countries (separately for men and women) Source: European Social Survey Round 7, 2014 Colour coding based on the highest, median and lowest value of the distribution of each indicator across countries.
All in all, it is clear that a substantial share of Europeans experience a burden of physical and mental health conditions. It is also clear that substantial numbers of Europeans are exposed to social and behavioural factors – including alcohol – that have been associated with these conditions.
Behavioural, occupational and living conditions set of social determinants