Balance call for action as alcohol deaths increase by 4.6%
- The latest fingertips data on deaths from conditions wholly attributable to alcohol have increased by 4.6% from 2022 to 2023, reaching the highest number for the fourth year in a row.
- DHSC’s Alcohol Profile shows that 8,274 people died from alcohol-specific causes in England in 2023 (up from 7,912 the year before).
- This is a 42% increase compared to 2019, before the pandemic. And compared to 2006, this is an increase of 64%.
- The majority of these deaths are from alcohol-related liver disease. 5,984 people died prematurely (under 75) from the disease in 2023, a rise of 3.6% from 2022, and a shocking 93% rise compared to 2001.
- The North East again has the highest rates of any English region, with 25.7 deaths per 100,000 of the population, compared to an England average of 15.0 – a link to the NE data can be found here: Alcohol Profile – Data | Fingertips | Department of Health and Social Care
Sue Taylor, Head of Alcohol Policy for Fresh and Balance said:
“It is absolutely tragic to see yet another increase in deaths from conditions wholly attributable to alcohol, with a staggering 42% rise since 2019 and the worst rates here in the North East. Behind these statistics are families and communities, shattered by the impact that alcohol can have. This is particularly pertinent in the run up to Christmas, when we see a saturation of alcohol advertising, countless promotions in supermarkets and unavoidable pressures to drink – all of which we know can tip people suffering from alcohol addiction over the edge.
The pandemic had a huge impact on alcohol consumption in this region, with around one million people drinking at levels which can impact upon their physical and mental health. And whilst almost two thirds of people in the North East are now taking steps to cut down, the alcogenic environment makes it incredibly difficult to do so. Alcohol is more affordable and available than ever before, with a week’s worth of units costing less than a take away coffee and alcohol being sold in untraditional locations, such as soft plays, hairdressers and petrol stations, 24:7, 365 days of the year. Alcohol advertising is also unescapable, with a constant bombardment on TV, in supermarkets and across social media, portraying alcohol as a glamorous product, essential to social success.
Against this backdrop, 81% of people in the region believe that alcohol is a ‘big societal problem’ and this is why the North East has to be at the forefront of calling for action on alcohol harm.
Behind the headlines are real people, families and communities, suffering from largely preventable harms. We know there are things policymakers can do to reduce the levels and cost of alcohol harm to society – every week that the Government delays taking action, another 490 people die from causes linked to alcohol.
The evidence base is strong when it comes to alcohol harm reduction. Balance’s Blueprint for national action to reduce alcohol harm sets out suite of recommendations for decision makers, including the development of an evidence-based national alcohol strategy, prioritising interventions which raise awareness of alcohol harms and which reduce the affordability, availability and promotion of alcohol. These are the most effective and cost effective measures in terms of reducing consumption and harm and must be introduced to prevent a further tragic escalation of alcohol deaths in the future.”