Alcohol-related deaths in the UK have hit a record high, continuing a worrying trend that emerged after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, there were 10,048 deaths from alcohol-specific causes, the highest number on record, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This represents a 32.8% increase compared to 2019, the year before the pandemic. Experts believe that this increase is largely due to the continuation of pandemic-related trends, such as increased alcohol consumption and changes in drinking patterns.
Alcoholic liver disease was the leading cause of these deaths, and rates were significantly higher among men. Scotland and Northern Ireland had the highest rates of alcohol-specific deaths in 2022, while the East of England had the lowest rate.
Health experts have expressed concern about the rising trend of alcohol-related deaths and have called for urgent action to address the issue. They believe that preventative measures, such as proper regulation of alcohol marketing, clearer alcohol labeling, and a minimum price for a unit of alcohol, are crucial to reducing alcohol harm and saving lives.
