Science & Policy

Explore IARD Reviews & Reports

IARD’s work is informed by scientific evidence on alcohol and health, including alcohol policy. By bringing together data and research on drinking patterns, alcohol in society, and regulations at a national level, IARD examines practices around policies and interventions that reduce harmful drinking. IARD’s tools and resources are intended to support stakeholders in formulating approaches that can be adapted to local needs and contexts.

Data Types
Reports Reviews Toolkits

IARD Health and Policy Reviews offer a referenced overview of recent peer-reviewed, published research on the relationship between alcohol consumption and health outcomes, or on the impact of policy measures on drinking patterns and outcomes. They are not intended to be exhaustive representations of all scientific research on a given subject and, as research is constantly evolving, they might not include the most recent findings.

These materials do not necessarily reflect the views of IARD or its member companies. The reviews report the findings of the referenced studies and are not intended to advise individuals about their drinking. People with specific questions about their drinking are encouraged to consult a healthcare professional. Together, they can determine what is best for that individual based on individual risk factors, including family history, genetics, and lifestyle. For some people, the better choice may be to not drink at all.

IARD Health and Policy Reviews should be read in their entirety and not misrepresented or taken out of context.

Reports

Alcohol and health trends by country, based on WHO data

January 20, 2025

It provides a basis for examining where there has been progress since the UN strategy came into force in 2010, and for considering which policies have worked and in which contexts.

Reports

Table: Meta-analyses on alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality 2000-2023

January 20, 2025

A visual summary of meta-analyses published on alcohol consumption and all-cause mortality according to whether risk for light-to-moderate drinkers is the same or lower than nondrinkers.

Reports

Drinking and Infectious Diseases

January 20, 2025

Infectious diseases are caused by a diverse group of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. Some established risk factors for infectious diseases include individual factors and external factors.

Reports

Trends Report: Underage Drinking

January 20, 2025

This report brings together data on trends in underage drinking and looks at how partnerships between private and public sectors and communities, can support reductions in underage drinking.

Reports

Drinking and Cancer

January 20, 2025

This Health Review focuses on cancer sites associated with alcohol consumption as identified by the World Cancer Research Foundation and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Reports

Trends Report: Measures of Harmful Drinking 2010-2021

January 20, 2025

This IARD trends report highlights new data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and member states, as well as gaps in the data, since the adoption of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol in 2010.

Reports

Insights: The value of hospitality venues to social and mental wellbeing

January 20, 2025

The report describes the results of polling by YouGov and focus groups conducted by World Thinks. These results are exploratory and the value of hospitality venues to social and mental wellbeing should be more fully explored.

Reports

Screening and Brief Interventions for Alcohol

January 20, 2025

Policy Review describes the results of studies examining the effectiveness of screening and brief interventions (SBIs) for hazardous or harmful drinking.

Reports

Wine, responsibility, and innovation - bringing it all together in Paris

January 20, 2025

“Beer, wine and spirits have been around for thousands of years, and will be for thousands more”, said Julian Braithwaite for Vinexposium.

The resources on this website are not intended as health advice to individuals about their drinking. People with specific questions about their drinking are encouraged to consult a healthcare professional. Together, they can determine what is best for that individual, based on individual risk factors, including family history, genetics, and lifestyle. For some people, the better choice may be to not drink at all.

Our health and policy resources are not intended to be exhaustive representations of all scientific research on a given subject and, as research is constantly evolving, they might not include the most recent findings. All IARD materials include a date of content review and they should be read in their entirety and not misrepresented or taken out of context.