Dinithi Palliyaguru

Background: Alcohol consumption frequently experiences episodes of severe anxiety. This study set out to explore the long-term effects of alcohol consumption on anxiety, revealing insights into how alcohol consumption uniquely impact anxiety, aiming to inform mental health and public health approaches. This research paper explores the complex relationship between the prevalence of anxiety and the consumption patterns of wine, beer, and spirits across fifty-two high-income countries with a continental analysis. Method: By employing significant secondary data taken from the World Health Organization and Our World in Data online databases and covering the period from 1990 to 2019, this study seeks to explore various causality relationships over this period. Its primary objective is to fill the empirical gap in existing research by using Granger causality analysis to reveal the dynamic relationships between the consumption of alcohol and the prevalence of anxiety. This study endeavours to provide a continental analysis of the high-income countries, which allows for including a comprehensive viewpoint in the context of a single investigation. Results: The findings demonstrate a variety of patterns of causality in alcohol consumption and anxiety prevalence in a one-way causal relationship across specific continents, a bidirectional relationship in others, and no apparent causal relationship in several countries. Conclusion: The inference made from the study’s results goes beyond scholarly curiosity; it establishes the foundation for further investigations and the development of customised policies aimed at reducing the mutually reinforcing dangers of alcohol consumption and anxiety disorders.

Cardiovascular diseases have become a growing concern in lower-middle-income countries, not only as a public health challenge but also as a critical management issue influencing workforce productivity, absenteeism, and organizational performance. Understanding how lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption affect cardiovascular health is vital for developing sustainable workplace health strategies. This study examines the impact of alcohol consumption—classified as wine, beer, and spirits—on cardiovascular diseases while incorporating key determinants such as cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use within lower-middle-income countries. Using panel data from 170 countries between 1990 and 2019, this study applies fixed and random effects regression models to explore the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and cardiovascular disease prevalence. The analysis integrates major lifestyle and health variables to assess their combined impact on national and workforce health outcomes. Findings reveal that alcohol consumption, particularly beer and spirits, has a significant positive association with cardiovascular disease risk, while cholesterol, obesity, and tobacco use further exacerbate these effects. Interestingly, diabetes prevalence demonstrated a negative relationship with cardiovascular disease within lower-middle-income countries. The results underscore the economic and managerial implications of unmanaged lifestyle risks that contribute to lost productivity and healthcare burdens. This study highlights the critical intersection between health behavior and management, suggesting that promoting responsible alcohol consumption and preventive health measures can enhance workforce well-being and productivity. The insights provide valuable guidance for human resource professionals, organizational leaders, and policymakers in designing evidence-based wellness programs, occupational health policies, and strategic interventions aimed at reducing cardiovascular risks in developing economies. Keywords: Alcohol consumption, Cardiovascular disease, Tobacco consumption, Panel regression, Lower-middle-income countries

The relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health is complex; drinking may exacerbate anxiety, and in turn, anxiety can lead to excessive drinking. This study explores the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns including wine, beer, and spirits, and anxiety prevalence in selected 13 South American nations. This study utilises secondary data spanning 29 years from 1991 to 2019 obtained from the Our World in Data database. It investigates the causal link between the prevalence of anxiety and alcohol consumption in the selected countries using the Granger causality test. Anxiety was found to have a unidirectional effect on wine and beer consumption in Chile, Suriname, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, drinking alcohol consumption appears to impact anxiety levels in Brazil. Argentina demonstrates a bidirectional relationship between anxiety and all three types of alcohol consumption, with similar patterns observed in Brazil (wine and beer), Chile (spirits), and Paraguay (spirits). No significant causal relationships for alcohol consumption patterns were found in other nations. The identified Granger causal links follow four distinct directions in this study. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, governments, and international investors for informed decision-making regarding regulation and policy tools.