UK Alcohol-Specific Deaths Fall to 9,809 in 2024, First Drop Since Covid

4 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 11

9,809 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in the UK in 2024, down from a record 10,473 in 2023 and marking the first annual decline since the Covid pandemic.
The death rate fell to 14.8 per 100,000—the lowest since 2020—with declines across ages 25 to 79, though rates for people aged 80 and over increased.
Scotland and Northern Ireland still recorded the highest national rates at 20.9 and 21.4 per 100,000, while England's North East was highest among English regions at 21.1 and London lowest at 10.9.
Campaigners said the drop was only modest and deaths remain far above pre-pandemic levels, citing stress, deprivation and cheap take-home alcohol as key drivers of harm.
Alcohol Change UK is urging minimum unit pricing in England and tighter online marketing controls, while the government pointed to alcohol labelling plans and £3.4 billion for prevention, treatment and recovery services.

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