Mortality rates from liver disease have risen by more than 400% in the past five decades, a charity has warned, while deaths from other major illnesses have fallen.
It means liver disease is now among the leading causes of death among adults of working age in the UK, the British liver Trust said.
A new analysis shows that in 1970, liver disease mortality rates stood at 2.83 per 100,000 people.
But 50 years later in 2020, this figure had surged more than fourfold, to 11.66 per 100,000.
By comparison rates of death from other major diseases including cancer, diabetes and lung disease have fallen the charity added.
Even sharper rises in deaths from liver disease have been reported in recent years, figures show, with a 24% increase in just over four years.
In 2019 there were 15 per 100,000 people in 2019 dying from liver disease but by 2023 this had risen nearly 19 per 100,000.
During this period, the UK also saw a record high of 12,367 liver disease-related deaths, – the highest number ever recorded.
Urgent government action is needed to reverse this preventable trend though improving early diagnosis rates, increasing public awareness, and investing in specialist care, the charity warned.
A significant lack of public awareness and effective early detection measures mean there are only small pockets of good practice in establishing efficient early detection pathways.
Analysis earlier this year found that most ICBs in England do not have effective referral pathways for diagnosing and managing liver disease.
Two-thirds did not have monitoring of local liver disease health statistics, despite cases soaring.
Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust, said the figures were ‘shocking’.
Liver disease is now one of the biggest causes of death in working-age adults, yet it remains consistently overlooked.
Excess alcohol consumption, obesity, poor diet, and viral hepatitis are the primary causes.
‘Whilst the actual numbers of deaths due to other conditions, such as heart disease and lung disease are higher, the rates of deaths from these, and other diseases have seen major improvements thanks to significant investment and hard-hitting public awareness campaigns.
She added: ‘90% of liver disease is preventable and if found early the disease can be progression can be halted or reversed.
‘Without urgent intervention, more people will die from a health crisis that can be averted. There must be no more delays, the time for action is now.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘As part of this government’s Plan for Change, we are delivering a fundamental shift towards prevention.
‘For too long there has been an unwillingness to lead on issues including alcohol harm. We recognise the need for urgent action to reverse the unacceptable levels of alcohol specific deaths – including those caused by liver disease.
‘We are committed to prioritising early intervention and health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives across the UK.’
