North East sees biggest drop in alcohol deaths in England, latest data shows
Latest figures for alcohol deaths show that the North East saw the biggest reduction in England between 2023 – 2024.
The fall has been cautiously welcomed by health leaders at Balance, the NHS and local authority public health teams after system wide working to address the worst rate of alcohol deaths and hospital admissions nationally.
The figures from DHSC Alcohol Profiles for England show the North East saw a 17.3% reduction in alcohol-specific deaths from 2023-24 and a 9.5% reduction in alcohol-related deaths. This is the first time alcohol-specific deaths have fallen since 2017.
Despite this, alcohol deaths are still much higher than before the pandemic, with alcohol-specific deaths still 30% higher than in 2019.
Dr Neil O'Brien, local GP and chief medical director for the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board: "Our region has the highest level of harm from alcohol in the country, and it is encouraging to see this reduction, thanks to the hard work of the regional NHS.”
This progress aligns with the government’s 10-year health plan, which emphasises prevention, partnership, and investment in community health.
Dr James Crosbie is clinical lead for alcohol in the North East and North Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board, a GP and a consultant gastroenterologist at the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust. He said: “Alcohol causes a range of medical harms.
"Most people know it causes liver disease, but it also causes seven types of cancer, high blood pressure which can lead to heart disease and stroke and is a key driver of problems with mental health.
“Alcohol harm is a problem everywhere in the UK, and while these fall in deaths is a step in the right direction, the North East still feels these pressures most acutely on our health system and in local communities.”
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “The fall in deaths is very welcome, but it is important to recognise that despite more people taking steps to cut down, our region still has the worst rate of deaths and hospital admissions in England.
“Reducing alcohol harms must be at the forefront of national efforts to build a healthier, safer and more economically productive country.”