Liver disease death rates quadruple in 50 years: Liver disease now among leading causes of death for working-age UK adults

New data released today by the British Liver Trust on World Liver Day has revealed that mortality rates from liver disease have risen by more than 400% in the last 50 years, while mortality rates from other major diseases, including heart disease, lung disease and cancer, have fallen. Today, the British Liver Trust is demanding urgent government action to reverse this preventable deadly trend by improving early diagnosis rates, increasing public awareness, and investing in specialist care.

Standardised mortality rates show how death rates from various diseases in a population have changed over time so they can be fairly compared and are not skewed.

The analysis revealed that in 1970, liver disease mortality rates stood at 2.83 per 100,000 people. By 2020, this figure had surged more than fourfold, reaching 11.66 per 100,000, representing a staggering increase. The statistics contrast with the rates for other diseases where improvements in treatment and care have seen death rates fall.

In the more recent years, deaths from liver disease have continued to rise sharply, with the rate climbing by nearly 24% over just four years. From approximately 15 per 100,000 people in 2019, the mortality rate rose to nearly 19 per 100,000 in 2023. During this period, the UK saw a record high of 12,367 liver disease-related deaths, the highest number ever recorded.

Despite the alarming rise in liver disease mortality, the condition remains chronically underfunded and overlooked. There is a significant lack of public awareness and effective early detection measures, with only small pockets of good practice in establishing efficient early detection pathways. The new data analysis also highlights a stark contrast to other major diseases, where death rates have either stabilized or decreased thanks to increased investment in prevention and treatment. In contrast, liver disease deaths continue to rise year after year.

Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Policy at the British Liver Trust, says:  “The latest figures are shocking and should serve as a wake-up call. Liver disease is now one of the biggest causes of death in working-age adults, yet it remains consistently overlooked. 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. Yet the rates of deaths for liver disease continue to soar. 90% of liver disease is preventable and if found early the disease can be progression can be halted or reversed. The UK and devolved governments and the NHS must act now to reverse this trend and save lives.”

Liver disease is a silent killer, often showing no symptoms until it is too late. Three-quarters of patients with advanced liver disease are only diagnosed when admitted to hospital, drastically reducing their chances of survival. Yet 90% of liver disease cases in adults are preventable, with excess alcohol consumption, obesity, poor diet, and viral hepatitis being the primary causes.

“Liver disease is a public health crisis that is only getting bigger by the day,” added Vanessa Hebditch.  “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.”

The charity is calling for urgent action to tackle late diagnoses and save lives, including ensuring that every health board has an effective early detection pathway in place to monitor those most at risk. This should involve assessing abnormal liver blood tests in line with national guidelines, conducting liver fibrosis assessments, and ensuring appropriate referrals to secondary care to ensure timely treatment.