A new Lancet Commission report has called for further action to address the UK liver disease "crisis" in which liver disease mortality rates have increased 400% since 1970.
Whilst the report identifies other key areas in relation to liver disease including obesity and hepatitis C, it highlights the significant role alcohol misuse plays and calls for a range of measures including minimum unit pricing (MUP).
The commission highlights how the UK is the only country in western Europe except Finland where liver disease has increased over the past three decades. It says a 33% reduction in Finnish alcohol taxation prompted soaring liver disease rates, whilst in France steady falls in liver cirrhosis over the last 30 years correlated to falling alcohol consumption.
The commission was set up in 2013 and came shortly after a review of patients who died with alcohol-related liver disease by a patient care and death review group. The report says it is in line with the 'Health First' 'independent' alcohol strategy ten key alcohol policy recommendations, produced by a number of health organisations dissatisfied with the 2012 Government national strategy.
As well as MUP, the commission call for better early detection, specialist liver units, and increasing public awareness of liver disease in its top ten overall recommendations.
On alcohol specifically, it shuns voluntary actions from industry, calling for mandatory health labelling on drinks, restrictions on marketing and access, for alcohol tax to be be proportionate to ABV% strength, and a full review of licensing legislation.
See here to view the full Lancet UK liver disease crisis infographic, or download as a pdf.
Public Health England's plan
Recently new liver disease profiles were released by Public Health England (PHE) detailing the local and regional impact of liver disease. The profiles highlight stark disparities across England, largely reflecting health inequalities. PHE are working to produce a framework outlining its scope of activities to tackle liver disease. The PHE work is being led by Professor Julia Verne, who warned of the challenges addressing liver disease given it can go easily undetected.
The BBC reported 'early detection of liver disease by GPs in the UK is "virtually non-existent" as GPs inadequately rely on blood tests which can fluctuate, therefore can miss detection of cirrhosis. Prof Roger Williams, director of the Institute of Hepatology in London, said: "Hospital care for patients with advanced liver disease has been shown to be less than good in more than half of cases. And early detection of liver disease by GPs and primary care services is virtually non-existent."
Balance, the North East of England’s alcohol office, released regional figures showing a 322% increase in hospital admissions for alcohol-related liver disease amongst under 30's in the North East. This compared to a national increase of 67% for under 30s.
See here for reports in the Guardian, Telegraph and an NHS Choices review of the report and its evidence.
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