In this activity, you will analyze the burden of disease attributable to alcohol and drug use and how it can potentially threaten mental health.

Step 1. Analyze [30 minutes]

Review and carefully analyze the “Results” section of the article: 

The global burden of disease attributable to alcohol and drug use in 195 countries and territories, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

Step 2. Respond [180 minutes]

Write a 300-600 word critical analysis of the article’s section by addressing the following key questions:

• Is there a geographical difference in the burden of diseases attributable to alcohol and drug use? Justify your answer using key indicators of the burden of disease, such as DALYs.
• What are the two main disease burdens attributable to alcohol and drugs? 
• What two disease burdens are least attributable to alcohol and drugs?
• What is the association between the burden of diseases attributable to alcohol or drugs and SDI (Socio-demographic Index)? Is there a geographical difference in this association? Justify.
• What are other barriers and facilitators that might contribute to this burden?
• How can the burden of diseases attributable to alcohol and drug use potentially threaten mental health or be associated with co-occurring mental health disorders?

Step 3. Share [ 10 minutes]

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work into the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 4: Interact [10 minutes]

To complete the activity, you will need to reply to at least two posts made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. Your response should respond to each of the three framework elements indicated in the table. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

OPTIONAL Step 5: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”