WHO launches AI-supported platform to help prevent alcohol-related harm

16:12

By: Azzat Manal

WHO launches AI-supported platform to help prevent alcohol-related harm

The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe has introduced a new digital platform supported by artificial intelligence to help healthcare professionals identify alcohol-related risks at an early stage and strengthen preventive care. The initiative aims to make it easier for medical staff to assess patients’ drinking habits, discuss potential health consequences and recommend measures to reduce harm.

The launch comes amid concerns about limited public awareness of the link between alcohol consumption and cancer. According to figures cited by WHO Europe, only 15% of people surveyed across 14 European countries knew that drinking alcohol could cause breast cancer. Awareness was slightly higher among women, at 21%, but remained low despite the established association between alcohol and several forms of cancer.

Alcohol is recognised as a risk factor for at least seven types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular and liver diseases. WHO estimates indicate that alcohol consumption was associated with approximately 39,200 new breast cancer cases in the European Region in 2020, underlining the importance of prevention and early risk assessment.

The new resource, known as the Alcohol Risk Assessment and Brief Interventions Hub, provides practical tools and scientific information designed to support healthcare workers in evaluating alcohol consumption and discussing its possible effects with patients. By integrating evidence-based resources into routine consultations, the platform seeks to encourage earlier intervention before harmful drinking patterns lead to more serious health problems.

Karina Ferreira-Borges, WHO Europe’s regional adviser on alcohol, highlighted the wide-ranging consequences of alcohol use, which extend beyond liver and heart conditions to include mental health problems, prenatal exposure and several cancers. She also emphasised the value of early identification and brief interventions, while noting that healthcare professionals need appropriate training and practical resources to address alcohol use effectively.

Despite the availability of prevention strategies, alcohol consumption is not always discussed during medical appointments as frequently as smoking, physical activity or nutrition. Limited consultation time, gaps in professional training and discomfort around raising the subject can all make these conversations more difficult.

The platform forms part of WHO Europe’s initiative to translate scientific evidence on alcohol into practical action, supported through joint funding from the European Union. Its development reflects broader efforts to strengthen preventive healthcare and equip medical professionals with accessible, evidence-based guidance.

WHO Europe plans to update the platform as scientific knowledge and digital tools evolve. The initiative is intended to support healthcare workers and policymakers in improving risk awareness, encouraging informed decisions and reducing the long-term health burden associated with alcohol consumption.