Alcohol Health Alliance urges action on alcohol-related deaths
Action Urged on Rising Alcohol-Related Deaths
December 19, 2024
New statistics show a concerning 42% rise in alcohol-related deaths over the past four years, with 8,274 lives lost in 2023 alone. The Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), of which BSG is a signatory and member, has written a letter calling for the government to make addressing alcohol harm a top priority in 2025.
Alcohol-related harm continues to place significant pressure on the healthcare system, with nearly 1 million hospital admissions each year linked to alcohol, costing the NHS £4.91 billion annually. The AHA has called for policies such as minimum unit pricing and increased funding for alcohol treatment services to reduce harm and improve public health.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the AHA, stated, “We know the solutions, and now is the time to implement them. The government must prioritize alcohol harm in 2025.”
As a member of the AHA, BSG fully supports these recommendations and encourages the government to take meaningful action to address the growing public health challenge.
To Read the full Report and Letter, please click Here
BSG Travelling Fellowship – AASLD and visit to the National Institute of Health in Baltimore
This fellowship aims to offer an opportunity for a trainee who has a strong interest in Hepatology to attend AASLD’s Liver Meeting in Washington DC, USA in November 2025 to see the latest research and clinical updates in Hepatology.
Perceptions and impact of Alcohol Minimum Unit Pricing
Dr Ewan Forrest, BSG Alcohol Lead, and Dr Coral Hollywood, BSG VP Hepatology, discuss the perceptions and impact of Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol in Scotland, and the benefits of introducing a similar approach in England.
BSG San Diego Travelling Fellowship Report by Amy Johnson
I am incredibly grateful to the Liver Section for awarding me this travelling fellowship. My time in San Diego was immensely beneficial for my career development, offering both educational and networking opportunities that I will build upon for years to come.