Health inequalities in liver disease and liver cancer

Background

There are over 100 diseases of the liver, affecting at least 2 million people in the UK. Most liver disease is preventable, with alcohol misuse, obesity and hepatitis infections particularly influential factors. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has reported that around 90% of liver deaths in England are related to lifestyle and unhealthy environments with the vast majority of these being alcohol related.

Unlike some other major conditions, mortality rates for both liver disease and liver cancer have grown over the last two decades. The Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report for 2023 (PDF) highlighted that alcohol specific liver disease is the only leading cause of death in England that is increasing significantly, having increased by 87% between 2001 and 2021.

Risk factors and inequalities

Alcohol misuse and obesity are key risk factors for developing liver disease and liver cancer, and there are significant links between health inequalities and incidence of both. Liver disease is also the biggest risk factor for developing liver cancer.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Liver Disease and Liver Cancer has highlighted that those living in the most deprived areas of the country are most adversely affected by conditions of the liver. In areas experiencing the greatest levels of deprivation the rate of premature deaths from liver disease is almost four times higher than the least deprived areas. There are also clear geographical differences in liver disease hospitalisation and mortality rates with, in general, rates being higher in the North of England, compared to London and the South of England (see Liver disease in numbers – key facts and statistics – British Liver Trust).

This briefing provides information on liver disease and liver cancer, and the relationship between liver health, geographic health inequalities and social deprivation. It also provides relevant press and parliamentary information.