There has been a catastrophic rise in deaths caused solely by alcohol in England over the past four years, prompting public-health experts to call for urgent action. More than 8,200 people died because of alcohol in 2023 – a 42% rise on 2019, with the North East having the highest rates. The Alcohol Health Alliance UK says alcohol consumption could be reduced if a minimum price for each unit was introduced, as in Scotland. The government says it’s unacceptable that alcohol deaths are at record high levels and it will prioritise public health in its 10-year plan for the NHS in England. During the pandemic, deaths caused by alcohol rose sharply across the UK. Since then, deaths have continued to go up in England – although more slowly than in previous years.
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