Jose M Bueno, WONCA Europe (WE) Executive Board member-at-large, represented WE at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) 2025 Conference that was held in Amsterdam 7-10th May, which offered a series of high-level activities devoted to alcohol harm reduction and public health advocacy.
JM Bueno had previously represented WE at the European Alcohol Health Alliance Symposium held in Copenhagen 11/12/2024 https://www.woncaeurope.org/news/view/we-at-the-european-alcohol-health-alliance-symposium-copenhagen-11-12-2024
“Turning Evidence into Action: Tackling Alcohol-Related Harms” was the title of the opening session. Leading voices from EASL, WHO Europe, and high-level public health officials explored evidence-based policies to reduce alcohol-related harm, sharing diverse regional perspectives and policy approaches. The session highlighted the importance of multisectoral collaboration in shaping effective public health strategies.
On the same day, interactive EASL Studio session “Beyond the Myths: Alcohol Harm and Policy Action” cut through common misconceptions about alcohol to address its real-life health and societal impacts. Bringing together policymakers, clinicians, and patients, the discussion did spotlight the urgency of action, shared personal stories explored what effective alcohol policy can—and must—look like across Europe
The momentum continued on 8th May with the official launch of the European Alcohol Health Alliance of Medical Associations to address Alcohol-Related Harm (EAHA) which WE is a member of. Grounded in WHO’s “Best Buys”, the session featured expert presentations on policy implementation, youth protection, and strategic advocacy. A powerful patient testimonial and a multi-expert panel discussion reinforced the urgent need for coordinated efforts in tackling alcohol-related harms across Europe. Dr Bueno informed that a position statement on alcohol consumption by many Spanish Scientific Societies was due to be released on May 12th (“Commitment of the Spanish Scientific Societies to the prevention of alcohol consumption and its consequences”) https://www.semfyc.es/actualidad/posicionamiento-sobre-el-consumo-de-alcohol
Furthermore WHO led 4 well-attended Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) for Alcohol training Sessions, which confirmed the interest and need for SBI in multiple health care settings.
More information
08/05/2025 WHO press release: European Health Alliance on Alcohol launched to reduce the unsustainable toll of alcohol harms in Europe https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/08-05-2025-european-health-alliance-on-alcohol-launched-to-reduce-the-unsustainable-toll-of-alcohol-harms-in-europe