Alcohol-specific deaths in England

Alcohol-specific death rates are highest in the North of England, but every region has seen an increase over the previous year. By far the highest increase in deaths is in the South West (68%). The reasons are unclear, but have lockdowns and the pandemic been a factor?

There were 5,460 alcohol-specific deaths recorded in England and Wales in the first three quarters of 2020, representing a 16.4% increase on the same period in 2019.

The figure above clearly shows a regional imbalance in the rate of alcohol-specific deaths in England. The North of England is disproportionately affected, with the North East having the highest registered death rate at 21.3 per 100,000.

Alcohol-specific death rates overall were higher in Q2 and Q3 2020 than in any year since 2001. Interestingly, increases over the past year have not been most significant in the North. By far the largest increase in alcohol-specific deaths occurred in the South West (68%). 

Precise reasons for the high increase in alcohol-specific deaths are unclear. But it is plausible that lockdown restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are a factor. Further data and analysis will hopefully shed more light on the issue.