New Frontiers In Alcohol And Health

Assumptions made about alcohol, and beer in particular, are often based on media coverage, cultural stereotypes and even myths. Both the academic world and the brewing industry agree that ignorance may lead to prejudice. This books reflects their concern.

The report provides an overview of alcohol consumption and harms in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Chapter 1) presents global strategies action plans and monitoring frameworks (Chapter 2) gives detailed information on: the consumption of alcohol in populations (Chapter 3); the health consequences of alcohol consumption (Chapter 4); and policy responses at national level (Chapter 5). In its final chapter 6 the imperative for reducing harmful use of alcohol in a public health perspective is presented. In addition the report contains country profiles for WHO Member States and appendices with statistical annexes a description of the data sources and methods used to produce the estimates and references.

In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.

As elders are living longer and healthier lives, these additional years call for what author Olga Spencer explains is a new vision and fulfillment of the senior stage. Here psychologist Spencer pinpoints how we can transform our perception of aging, changing from seeing senior years as a time of decline, to seeing this stage as a great opportunity for final, ultimate development. We can all transform our lives, to recognize new, unexpected and vital experiences and potentials, she explains. Enlisting fields as diverse as psychology, medical science, physics and cosmology, Spencer shows us the new frontiers in aging, and how our choices determine our destiny. Spencer also focuses on peak experiences, those moments that are for us validation of life lived fully and with passion, and their importance to seniors to not only fulfillment but also biological wellness and independence ce. Three of her book's major points are that aging begins in the mind, that aging is an obsolete concept, and that lifestyle (not age) determines successful aging. This thought-provoking book, written with the assistance of two medical doctors and a registered dietician, will interest any readers over 50 who want to live their senior years to their fullest, as well as their family members and loved ones, in addition to social workers, mental health professionals, medical professionals, clergy and other professionals in roles caring for seniors.

The understanding of how to reduce risk factors for mental disorders has expanded remarkably as a result of recent scientific advances. This study, mandated by Congress, reviews those advances in the context of current research and provides a targeted definition of prevention and a conceptual framework that emphasizes risk reduction. Highlighting opportunities for and barriers to interventions, the book draws on successful models for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, injuries, and smoking. In addition, it reviews the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and dependence, depressive disorders, and conduct disorders and evaluates current illustrative prevention programs. The models and examination provide a framework for the design, application, and evaluation of interventions intended to prevent mental disorders and the transfer of knowledge about prevention from research to clinical practice. The book presents a focused research agenda, with recommendations on how to develop effective intervention programs, create a cadre of prevention researchers, and improve coordination among federal agencies.