Alcohol deaths spiral
Left unchecked, the alcohol harm crisis will only escalate further, placing an ever-greater burden on our healthcare system, economy and society. We know what works, and now is the time to act.
We have joined a number of public health groups calling on Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to make addressing alcohol harm a top priority in 2025. This follows alarming new statistics that show, in just the last four years, there has been a catastrophic 42% rise in deaths in England caused solely by alcohol. Such a devastating rise in death rate has never been seen before.
In a letter sent to Mr Streeting, ADPH, along with other members of the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) including medical royal colleges, treatment providers, and academics, highlight the devastating toll of alcohol-related harm on individuals, families, and communities, as well as the escalating pressures on England’s healthcare system and economy.
In 2023, 8,274 people lost their lives solely to alcohol—a harrowing figure that represents only the tip of the iceberg, the letter states. When cases where alcohol was a contributing factor are considered, the true toll is likely three times higher.
Nearly 950,000 hospital admissions each year are linked to alcohol, accounting for 6% of all hospitalisations. Beyond the physical health implications—including links to seven types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes—alcohol also significantly impacts mental health, with 70% of those in alcohol treatment also reporting mental health needs.
The financial burden is equally stark, with alcohol estimated to cost the NHS £4.91 billion annually.
The letter also calls attention to the inequalities in alcohol harm across England, with the North East suffering a mortality rate more than twice as high as London. Hospitalisations and deaths are also disproportionately concentrated in the most deprived communities.
To address this, we are urging the Government to implement a comprehensive response, leveraging the Health Mission board to drive much needed cross-government action. The letter highlights evidence from Scotland, where minimum unit pricing (MUP) has proven effective in reducing alcohol-related harm and calls for similar measures in England to halt the rising death toll.
Without urgent action, the crisis will escalate further, placing an even greater burden on healthcare systems, the economy, and society at large.
“We know what works, and now is the time to act,” the letter concludes.