British Liver Trust’s mission to transform liver health
Liver disease deaths have increased by more than 400% in two generations driven by obesity, alcohol and viral hepatitis – adding to huge avoidable pressures on our NHS and economy. However, 9 in 10 incidences of liver disease are preventable.
This new report from the British Liver Trust (BLT) sets out the key asks for the UK government:
- Preventative measures including reshaping the unhealthy food and drink environment, improved regulation of products high in fat, salt and sugar, and a comprehensive alcohol strategy
- Increasing early detection in primary and community care, with dedicated targets
- Tackling inequalities and stigma with a comprehensive review of liver services, an increase in the number of available livers for transplant, and expanding access to weight management services
Alcohol trends in England
The Department of Health and Social Care has published new information about the health of people in England and how it has changed over time, covering life expectancy, risk factors, and disease prevalence.
Alcohol-related mortality remained relatively steady between 2016 and 2019 and has since increased year on year to a rate of 39.7 per 100,000 in 2022. The percentage of people successfully completing alcohol treatment (and not re-presenting within six months) has decreased from a 2017 high of 38.9% to 35.1% in 2022. The report also includes information on the increase in incidences of alcohol-related cancer and liver disease, and a decrease in hospitalisations of alcohol-specific conditions in under-18s.
Recovery month: A time to celebrate everyone’s journey from addiction to recovery
September 2024 marks the 34th annual Recovery Month, celebrating the success of those in recovery from all addictive behaviours.
Forward Trust are kicking off this year’s Recovery Month with an all-important reminder that addiction can happen to anyone at any point in life. It is nothing to be ashamed of and getting help – whether it’s for you or a loved one – can save and transform your life.
Last year’s ‘Everybody Knows Somebody’ film gives voice to 42 people impacted by addiction.
Keep up with more events and listing on the Forward Trust website.
Dr Peter Rice on the cost of freezing alcohol duty
The alcohol industry has been calling for new ministers to maintain historically low levels of alcohol duty. In a recent piece in The Herald, Dr Peter Rice explains how this only serves to boost industry profits at a substantial cost to our health and well-being.
Dr Rice dispels the Scotch Whisky Association’s claims that the increase in alcohol duty last August resulted in a decrease in tax revenues to the Treasury. If the actualeconomic losses (estimated to be £20bn since 2013) caused by duty cuts and freezes are not enough to for government to increase alcohol tax, then the cost to human lives should be.
“The new government to act in the best interests of health and wellbeing of the people who elect it and ensure its approach to alcohol duty is used for the public good, not to line the pockets of Big Alcohol.”
New booklet from the Men’s Health Forum
The second edition of Serious drinking: Alcohol made easy is available now, featuring tips for controlling your drinking and what to look for if your relationship with alcohol is causing you concern. Men’s Health Forum have provided a 10% discount with the code: CHARITY10.
Events
How to talk about CDOH with elected members
Association of Directors of Public Health
27 September 2024, 10am–1pm
To attend, email specialprojects@adph.org.uk and state your name, role title and organisation.
Hospital alcohol service workshop
Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems, the Royal College of Nursing Scotland and the Royal College of Psychiatry Scotland
30 September 2024, 1pm–4.30pm
The MCA annual symposium on alcohol-related health harm
Medical Council on Alcohol
27 November 2024
