Persistent alcohol death rise a 'crisis' - study

A continuing rise in deaths caused by alcohol in England since the pandemic was an "acute crisis", according to experts in Sheffield.

Researchers found death rates were stable between 2009 and 2019 but increased by a fifth in 2020 and rose by a further 13.5% from 2020 to 2022.

The study, by the University of Sheffield and University College London (UCL), estimated 3,911 more people died solely because of alcohol between 2020 and 2022 than would have been the case if pre-pandemic trends had continued.

Lead author Dr Melissa Oldham said: "The sharp increase in alcohol deaths during the pandemic was no flash in the pan. The higher rate has persisted and is getting worse each year."

For the study, published in Lancet Public Health, researchers analysed figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) around deaths caused solely by alcohol in England.

Those figures show that alcohol deaths continued to rise, with up to 8,274 reported in 2023.

The main cause, the researchers found, was a steep rise in liver damage caused by alcohol.

Dr Oldham described the situation as an "acute crisis" and said said urgent action was needed such as investment in health services to better detect and treat liver disease.

The study also found the largest increases in deaths were among groups most likely to be affected before the pandemic – men, people from deprived areas, and those aged 50 to 69.

Senior author Professor Colin Angus, from the University of Sheffield's School of Medicine and Population Health, said the increase in deaths was "entrenching existing health inequalities".

"Men, just as before the pandemic, are twice as likely to die because of alcohol compared to women, with almost three times as many additional alcohol-specific deaths in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived."

Researchers said it was unclear why there was a rise in drinking post-pandemic but suggested it could be due to habits formed in lockdown.

They believe the cost of living crisis and worsened mental health could play a part - with higher rates of severe psychological distress reported in England between 2020 and 2022.

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