News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Latvia’s early evaluation needs its time window and denominator

In this lesson: Keep the percentage tied to the correct category and observation window.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

WHO’s September account examined the first five months of Latvia’s alcohol measures, from 1 August through 31 December 2025.

Deaths from causes wholly attributable to alcohol declined by 27%, it reported, with more than 60 deaths averted in the evaluation’s estimate.

That should not be described as a 27% reduction in all Latvian deaths. The category and period limit the claim, and an early estimate does not guarantee an unchanged long-term effect.

Editorial correction, 26 October 2026: We corrected factual wording and chronology after checking the sources below. This is a retrospective archive review; the original publication date is retained.

Source: Sources checked 26 October 2026. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/28-09-2026-new-alcohol-policy-measures-in-latvia-produce-rapid-public-health-gains https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol

Read and practise

1. Which deaths did the 27% figure concern?

   1. All deaths occurring in hospitals
   2. Causes wholly attributable to alcohol
   3. All deaths in Latvia

2. Why is the result not a guarantee of the same long-term effect?

   1. It covers all causes of death equally.
   2. It comes from an early, defined period.
   3. It measures every future year already.

Your turn

Rewrite “All Latvian deaths fell by 27%” accurately.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/latvia-alcohol-rules-early-health-gains-september-2026/level-2/