We all share the deep concern about human suffering due to lack of capacity of healthcare services.

Much of the burden and costs our health systems face are avoidable. For example, globally, alcohol harm alone contributes to 20% of injuries in emergency department presentations. In many countries, diseases caused by alcohol, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer, are rising, placing a heavy strain on families, health services, and the economy.

But change is possible, as some countries show: with greater attention to alcohol policy in general and alcohol taxation in particular, healthcare costs can be reduced and revenue for investments in UHC increased.

We are calling for a much more ambitious focus on the alcohol policy best buys to unlock their potential to drive progress towards UHC.