Estonian social affairs minister in UN: Russian aggression threatens people's health

TALLINN - Estonian Minister of Social Affairs Karmen Joller emphasized at the UN General Assembly that Russian aggression threatens people's health and mental well-being across Europe.

"We need to talk about the elephant in the room -- Russia, which will soon speak here alongside other nations on disease prevention and mental health, yet is simultaneously threatening people's health and mental well-being across Europe through the war of aggression it started," Joller said in her speech at the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday evening.

The Estonian minister said that Russia has created an environment where it is nearly impossible for people to maintain mental health and focus on a healthy lifestyle.

"Russia is bombing hospitals and family health centers, schools and kindergartens in Ukraine. It violates the airspace of several European countries and seeks to erode the sovereignty and policies of other states, from Georgia and Belarus to Moldova. Meanwhile, European countries are forced to divert unprecedented resources to defense spending. Starting next year, Estonia will spend more than five percent of GDP on security. We would prefer to invest that in the health and well-being of our people," she said, adding that Russian aggression itself is the cause of many people's health problems.

On Wednesday, Estonia also co-hosted a panel discussion on alcohol policy at the UN General Assembly together with the global civil society organization Movendi International, aiming to share countries' experiences.

In her opening remarks, Joller said that although UN member states jointly set a goal in 2015 to reduce premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases, including those caused by alcohol consumption, by one third by 2030, we are still far from reaching it. Alcohol consumption has increased by six percent compared to 2010, causing 2.6 million deaths globally every year.

Young people and vulnerable communities are most harmed by alcohol, and it also burdens healthcare systems. But alcohol also affects the economy -- losses related to illness and deaths from excessive alcohol use reduce global GDP by 2.6 percent, and in EU countries, alcohol-related losses amount to nearly one percent annually.

"In Estonia, over the past decade we have implemented evidence-based measures -- restricted alcohol advertising and availability, raised excise duties, and increased support for people with alcohol addiction. These decisions have not always been easy or popular, but the results are clear -- alcohol consumption has decreased, and public health indicators have improved," Joller said. "But no country can succeed alone. Domestic alcohol consumption is also influenced by cross-border policies, and to achieve real results, we must act together and consistently."

Over 120 participants attended Estonia's side event, including representatives of UN member states, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and leaders of UN agencies and programs.

Movendi International is a global civil society organization focused on reducing alcohol-related harm and promoting health.