A recent map highlights a significant disparity between northern and southern regions in the UK when it comes to alcohol-related deaths. In 2024, 9,809 individuals died due to alcohol-specific causes, such as liver disease and alcohol poisoning. This marked a 6% decline from the previous year but was still 30% higher than in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The data indicates a 19% increase in alcohol-related deaths between 2019 and 2020, following the UK’s lockdown, with elevated mortality rates continuing thereafter. Men were found to be twice as likely as women to die directly from alcohol consumption.
Northern Ireland recorded the highest alcohol-specific mortality rate at 21.4 deaths per 100,000 individuals, surpassing Scotland for the first time since 2019. Wales and England reported lower rates at 16.8 and 13.8, respectively.
Within England, a clear North-South divide emerged, with the North East showing the highest mortality rate at 21.1, followed by the North West and the West Midlands. Notably, London and the South East had notably lower rates.
Local authority figures revealed areas with the highest mortality rates, including Glasgow in Scotland, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and South Tyneside in England. These areas might benefit from additional resources to combat alcohol-related issues.
Simon Phillips, CEO of WithYou, emphasized the need for increased investment in treatment services to address alcohol harm effectively. He called for a comprehensive, evidence-based alcohol strategy nationwide, focusing on addressing social and economic factors contributing to alcohol-related harm.
It is important to note that mortality rates are calculated differently across the UK nations, making direct comparisons challenging. Northern Ireland bases its rate on yearly figures, Scotland on five-year averages, and England and Wales on four-year averages.