The high levels of alcohol consumption in Europe contrast with the limited evidence available

The European Union is the region of the world with the highest levels of per-capita alcohol consumption. In fact, it is estimated that each year 55 million Europeans drink at dangerous levels.

As a consequence, alcohol  is the third leading risk factor for death and disability in Europe, contributing to disease, injuries and accidents and harming European society and economy.

Although the harm done by alcohol is a major public health concern, there is a European policy research gap: the limited evidence base in Europe restricts the availability of science-based advice to policy decision-makers to support the implementation of effective interventions and protect health.

A focus on research will foster effective preventive measures

In 2006 the European Commission (EC) adopted an EU strategy to support Member States in reducing harm caused by alcohol and fostering related research. In addition, the EC issued a Communication on alcohol, stressing the important role that research and information systems play on the development and implementation of effective actions at European, national and local levels for prevention of hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption.

AMPHORA is a €4million project co-financed by the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of research of the European Commission and coordinated by the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (FCRB) in Spain.

The aim of AMPHORA was to contribute new evidence on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm in Europe, and to disseminate this knowlege to those engaged in policy-making for the development and implementation of more effective public  health measures. 

The AMPHORA 3 main objectives are:

• Provide new scientific evidence for the most effective public health measures to reduce the harm done by alcohol.
• Promote the translation of science into policy and disseminate new knowledge to policy makers.
• Collaborate with partner organisations from 13 European countries and counterparts from all member states.