The Department for Health says ‘alcohol-related deaths remain at unacceptably high levels’ across the country
It’s readily available in almost every home – and it’s killing thousands across the country each year.
Dozens of fatalities from alcohol-specific conditions were registered in Hull last year, according to fresh data from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). The research, which draws on Office for National Statistics information, reveals 40 fatalities from alcohol-specific conditions were registered in Hull in 2024, equating to 16 deaths per 100,000 residents.
This represented a drop from 43 fatalities and a rate of 18 per 100,000 residents in 2023. The statistics also reveal 119 fatalities from alcohol-related conditions were documented in the area in 2024, equivalent to 50 deaths per 100,000 population.
Fatalities from alcohol-related conditions encompass those stemming from alcohol-specific conditions – entirely attributable to alcohol – and those made more probable by alcohol but also occurring in non-drinkers, such as heart disease or cancer.
In East Yorkshire, there were 164 deaths from alcohol-related conditions in 2024 – 38 deaths per 100,000 people. This was up from 155 deaths and a rate of 36 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, and the highest death count since 2016.
The figures also show 40 deaths from alcohol-specific conditions were logged in the area in 2024, the equivalent of 10 deaths per 100,000 population.
Throughout England the total of alcohol-related and alcohol-specific fatalities declined following record statistics achieved in 2023. A total of 21,971 fatalities from alcohol-related conditions were documented nationally in 2024, equating to approximately 39 deaths per 100,000 residents.
This marked a decrease from 22,644 and a 41 per 100,000 rate the preceding year, both records, yet stayed above levels witnessed five or 10 years earlier. Similarly, 7,673 deaths from alcohol-specific conditions were recorded last year – about 14 deaths per 100,000 population.
While this represented a decline from 8,274 deaths and a 15 per 100,000 rate the previous year, it nevertheless remained above levels witnessed previously.
Dr Richard Piper, chief executive of charity Alcohol Change UK, said: “While this small drop in deaths is of course positive news, it’s no cause for complacency. Every death is a tragedy – an empty seat at the table at family gatherings.
“These unnecessary lives lost, often at a young age, are preventable.
“The harm caused by alcohol is far wider than deaths and hospitalisations, with many of us feeling the impact on our own health, and in our families, local areas, and workplaces.
“With bold action from Government, we can improve the world around us to make it easier for us to cut back or stop drinking alcohol if we want to by tackling cheap, strong alcohol and out-of-control marketing.
“And, with properly funded support embedded in our communities, we can also make it easier for people to get help if they’re worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.”
The OHID statistics also reveal disparities between men and women in the prevalence of deaths from alcohol-specific and alcohol-related conditions.
There were approximately 60 deaths from alcohol-related conditions per 100,000 men in 2024, compared to 21 per 100,000 women. Approximately 19 deaths from alcohol-specific conditions per 100,000 men were recorded, while the rate dropped to nine per 100,000 for women.
Dr Piper stated that evidence indicates men are more likely to consume harmful levels of alcohol, “putting them at greater risk of experiencing the wide range of alcohol related health issues, from poor mental health and high blood pressure to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer”.
Karen Tyrell, chief executive of charity Drinkaware, said: “As a society, we need a strong focus on reducing health inequalities to tackle alcohol deaths and in particular the disproportionate impact on men.
“The Government’s recent men’s health strategy is a positive step, highlighting the need to support healthier choices and encouraging men to seek out help should they need to.
“Prevention is key, and helping more people make informed choices about their drinking can help drive these numbers down further.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Any death from alcohol is a tragedy. While these figures show a slight reduction, alcohol-related deaths remain at unacceptably high levels and we are determined to drive them down.
“As part of our 10 Year Health Plan, we are supporting people to make healthier choices through our shift from sickness to prevention. This includes exploring measures such as alcohol labelling to provide better health and nutritional information.
“We have also provided an additional £310 million in 2025-26 to improve drug and alcohol treatment services and recovery support in England, on top of the Public Health Grant.”