Record number of alcohol deaths in Suffolk sparks calls for action

The big picture: New figures from the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities show Suffolk's alcohol mortality rate stands at 11.8 deaths per 100,000 people, lower than the national rate of 15 per 100,000 people, but the highest they've been since records began in 2006.

By the numbers:

• 95 deaths in Suffolk in 2023 – up from 79 in 2022 and a 42% increase from 2019
• 728 deaths across the East of England
• 8,274 deaths nationally – a 5% rise from the previous year

What they're saying: "Every time someone dies from alcohol, it is an avoidable tragedy," says Dr Richard Piper, Alcohol Change UK chief executive. "There are millions of us whose lives are negatively affected by alcohol, be that through hangovers, over-spending, under-performing at work, or just not being fully present for our friends or family."

Solutions proposed: Alcohol Change UK is calling for:

• Improved alcohol labelling
• Better controls on alcohol marketing
• Introduction of minimum unit pricing
• Protection from very strong, cheap alcohol

The response: A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson called the record level of alcohol deaths "unacceptable" and said: "For too long there has been an unwillingness to lead on issues like smoking, alcohol harm and obesity." They added that the government's 10-Year Health Plan will shift the NHS's focus from sickness to prevention.

Bottom line: While Suffolk maintains a lower alcohol mortality rate than the national average, these record numbers are part of a wider national trend that has prompted health charities to call for stronger preventive measures and better controls on alcohol sales and marketing.

For support and to view a list of all meetings in Ipswich, please visit the AA website.