Alcohol-related death rates continue to rise

The alcohol-related death rate in the UK continued to increase in 2006, rising from 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population in 2005 to 13.4 in 2006, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics. Rates almost doubled between 1991 and 2006 (from 6.9 per 100,000 in 1991) while the number of alcohol-related deaths more than doubled from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,758 in 2006.

Alcohol-related death rates by sex, United Kingdom, 1991-2006

The alcohol­-related death rate in the UK continued to increase in 2006, rising from 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population in 2005 to 13.4 in 2006. Rates almost doubled from 6.9 per 100,000 in 1991.

The number of alcohol-related deaths more than doubled from 4,144 in 1991 to 8,758 in 2006. In 2006 the male death rate (18.3 deaths per 100,000 population) was more than twice the rate for females (8.8 deaths per 100,000) and males accounted for two thirds of the total number of deaths. For men, the death rates in all age groups increased between 1991 and 2006. The biggest increase was for men aged 35-54. Rates in this age group more than doubled, from 13.4 to 31.1 deaths per 100,000 over the period. However the highest rates in each year were for men aged 55-74.

Male alcohol-related death rates by age group, United Kingdom, 1991-2006

Source: National Statistics
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