A Midlands city has been identified as having one of the highest alcohol-related death rates in the country, according to the latest health data. Stoke-on-Trent recorded 187 alcohol-related deaths in the three years to the end of 2024, giving it a rate of 25.8 deaths per 1,000 people. This is the highest rate in the Midlands and among the highest nationally.
Regional comparison
Birmingham, with 561 alcohol-related deaths over the same period, had a lower rate of 20 per 1,000 residents due to its larger population. The study focused on deaths directly caused by alcohol, including alcoholic liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and mental and behavioral disorders.
Gender and national trends
Men are twice as likely as women to die from alcohol-specific causes. In 2024, 9,809 people died from such causes, a 6% drop from the previous year's record high but still 30% above pre-Covid levels.
The data also highlighted a stark north-south divide in England. The highest mortality rate was in the North East (21.1 per 1,000), followed by the North West (16.8) and the West Midlands (16.5). Rates were much lower in London (10.9) and the South East (11.1).
Expert reaction
Simon Phillips, CEO of WithYou, a drug and alcohol treatment provider, said: "Thousands of preventable deaths continue to devastate families and communities. Over 75% of dependent drinkers still aren't accessing treatment. Underfunded services and the lack of a national alcohol strategy mean progress is precarious. We need sustained investment in treatment services and an evidence-based strategy to address underlying factors like isolation and poor mental health."
