Alcohol-related premature mortality in Northern Dimension partnership countries 2003-2021

Abstract Background Potential Years Life Lost (PYLL) is an established method to measure, follow trends and compare disease burden within and between countries. Northern Dimension Partnership in Health and Social wellbeing (NDPHS) network was established in 2003 and includes the following countries: Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden. Due to the Russian invasion to Ukraine, Russia is now excluded from the collaboration. Iceland is not included in the analyses due to too small number of events. Methods Premature mortality was defined as a death before the age of 70 years. Alcohol-related deaths included the following ICD-codes: E24.4, F10, G31.2, G62.1, G72.1, I42.6, K29.2, K70, K85.2, K86.0, Q86.0, R78.0, X45, X65, Y15, K73, K74.0-K74.2, K74.6, O354, P043 and G4051. PYLL-rates per 100,000 population are presented separately for men and women in four time points: 2003, 2013, 2017 and 2021. Data were obtained from Eurostat and analyses are standardized to EU standard population. Results In the whole NDPHS area, alcohol related PYLL-rates declined between 2003 and 2017: from 527 to 458 in men, and from 159 to 134 in women. However, between 2017 and 2021 the rates increased: to 509 in men and to 154 in women. In 2021, the highest alcohol-related PYLL-rates were in Latvia (1696 in men and 530 in women) and the lowest in Norway (94 in men and 43 in women). Thus, the differences between countries in alcohol-related PYLL-rates were 20-fold in meles and 10-fold in females. In all countries the rates were 2-3 times higher in men compared to women. Conclusions Alcohol use is an important cause of premature mortality and disease burden in NDPHS area. There are marked differences in alcohol-related PYLL-rates between sexes and countries. The increase in alcohol-related PYLL-rates between 2017 and 2021 may be related to the Covid-pandemic. Key messages • Alcohol use is an important cause of premature mortality and disease burden in NDPHS countries, and there are marked differences in alcohol-related mortality between sexes and countries. • Reduction of total alcohol consumption is an evidence-based most effective public health measure to reduce alcohol-related health harms.