Liver disease deaths increase by 12% in just three years

British Liver Trust – Press Statement

Liver disease deaths increase by 12% in just three years

Alcoholic liver disease in the young increases by over a
quarter in four years Government mortality statistics for the UK
indicate that deaths from liver disease continue to rise, increasing by
12% in the last three years, totalling 46,244 lives lost. In 2008, liver
disease killed 16,087 people – a 4.5% increase from 2007. If these
rates continue, deaths from liver disease are predicted to double in 20
years.

This graph, produced by the British Liver Trust,
illustrates the true extent of liver disease in the UK. Liver disease,
when compared to the other five big causes of death, is the only one
showing a steady increase year-on-year:

 

Alison Rogers, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, says:
“Once again we are seeing the tide of liver disease rising
further and putting a huge strain on the NHS. The sad fact is that 95%
of all liver disease is entirely preventable.”

Full press statement available to download here.  (pdf 55kb)