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Review
. 2003 Nov-Dec;38(6):537-42.
doi: 10.1093/alcalc/agg111.

Alcohol use in China

Johanne Cochrane  1 , Hanhui Chen, Katherine M Conigrave, Wei Hao
Affiliations
Review

Alcohol use in China

Johanne Cochrane et al. Alcohol Alcohol. 2003 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Aims: Over recent decades there has been a striking increase in alcohol consumption and related problems in China. As China holds over 22% of the world's population this has a significant potential impact on world health. Here we review English- and Chinese-language publications on the prevalence of alcohol consumption and related problems in China, and treatment and control measures to reduce these.

Methods: Medline search 1976-2002 and search of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database 1996-2002.

Results: While alcohol is a traditional part of Chinese life, commercial alcohol production in China has increased more than 50-fold per capita since 1952. In parallel there is evidence of a marked increase in prevalence of alcohol dependence, which has moved from the ninth to the third most prevalent mental illness. The public health response to increase in alcohol-related disorders has commenced but is in need of further development.

Conclusions: There is a need for increased policies and public health programmes to reduce alcohol related harm, and evaluation of outpatient treatment potential.

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