Alcohol blamed for 40% rise in liver disease

Deaths from liver disease have risen by 40% over the past 12 years caused by greater alcohol consumption, a new study has warned.

Alcohol is being blamed for a 40% increase in liver disease over the past 12 years

The first regional study by Public Health England (PHE) into the preventable disease showed men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with liver disease than women with a significant difference in the number of cases in the north compared to the south.

Four times as many adults are dying from liver disease in Blackpool (58.4 per 100,000) in comparison to Bedfordshire (13 per 100,000).

Professor Julia Verne, who led the research for liver disease at PHE, attributed the “rapid and shocking increase” to changes in pub opening hours and higher levels of alcohol consumption.

“Liver disease is a public health priority because young lives are being needlessly lost,” commented professor Julia Verne, lead for liver disease at Public Health England. “All the preventable causes are on the rise, but alcohol accounts for 37% of liver disease deaths.

“We must do more to raise awareness, nationally and locally, and this is why it is so important for the public and health professionals to understand their local picture.”

Alcohol was one of three main preventable and treatable risk factors accountable for more than 90% of liver disease highlighted in the study, along with hepatitis B and C, and obesity.

Last week an international organisation was launched to tackle harmful drinking, with provisional board members including drinks giants such as Bacardi, Beam Suntory, Diageo and Brown-Forman Corportation to name a few.