The WHO Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders provides a comprehensive snapshot of global trends in alcohol consumption, related harms, and national policy responses, alongside the availability and quality of treatment services for alcohol and drug use disorders.

Key Highlights:

• Presents the latest data from WHO Member States, aligned with SDG Health Target 3.5: “Strengthen prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.”

• Offers updated insights on global alcohol consumption patterns...

Across Europe, one in four children faces poverty or social exclusion, with vulnerable groups—such as migrants, refugees, and children from disadvantaged families—bearing the greatest burden. These disparities were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the urgent need for more equitable access to health and social services.

Early childhood is a critical window for health and development, yet investment in prevention remains low. Barriers such as financial constraints, administrative complexity, and lack of coordination across sectors hinder access to essential services—especially...

Background
Smoking is one of the top causes of preventable death and is linked to many serious health problems, including cancer and chronic diseases. Nurses can play a big role in helping people quit smoking by offering support through counselling, education, and mental health care. These nurse-led programs have been shown to increase quit rates. Training nurses to deliver these programs is important, and reviewing past studies helps us understand what works best.

Methods
Researchers searched eight major health databases between March 27 and August 1, 2024, to find studies on nurse-led...

EU Drug Market: Drivers and facilitators provides an overview of the key factors influencing the operation of the markets for illicit drugs in the European Union. It considers the changes and developments happening in the wider environment in which the illicit drug market is embedded (drivers), and the people or processes (facilitators) that make it easier to commit drug-related criminality or avoid detection. The focus of the report is on identifying key issues and presenting recommendations for action at EU and Member State level.

This resource is part of EU Drug Markets: In-depth analysis...