North East tops alcohol-related deaths table again

The North East continues to have the highest number of alcohol-related deaths anywhere in England, figures have revealed.

New government data showed there were 25.7 deaths per 100,000 of the population in the region last year, compared to a national average of 15.0.

County Durham-based charity Balance said despite two thirds of people in the North East taking steps to cut down, health issues due to alcohol remained "historically high".

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the government was working to prevent alcohol-related deaths.

There has been a 57% rise in the number of people dying from alcohol-related illnesses in the North East since 2019.

Balance's Sue Taylor said more needed to be done to "crackdown on the prices of alcohol".

She called for "proper regulation of alcohol marketing, clearer alcohol labelling and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol".

The charity claimed problem drinking is costing the north-east of England £1.5bn a year, with the vast majority of adults believing alcohol was a problem for the area.

In 2023, there were 8,274 alcohol-specific deaths (deaths wholly due to alcohol) in England, which was an increase of 63.8% from 5,050 deaths in 2006 and a 4.6% increase since 2022.

The lowest rate of alcohol-related deaths was in the East of England.

A DHSC spokesperson said the government was working to prevent alcohol-related deaths by giving "clear and accurate advice" about the risks of drinking above guidelines.

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