Britain needs to take action to tackle a rising problem of liver disease, the chief medical officer said today.
England is one of the few countries in Europe to have this problem, linked to alcohol, obesity and viral disease, according to Professor Dame Sally Davies.
In the first decade of this century deaths from cirrhosis and chronic liver disease increased by 20% in England – and fell by as much in the rest of Europe.
The report also claims that nearly 70% of the population has two or more risk factors – or unhealthy habits – that are linked to fatal diseases.
And it calls for big improvements in diabetes care – as just 50% of people with this condition undergo their annual checks.
The report is Professor Davies’ first and she said: "I have done a comprehensive analysis of the state of the country’s health, and found some areas where we are doing really well and others where there is still a lot of improvement needed.
“I was struck by the data on liver disease particularly. This is the only major cause of preventable death that is on the increase in England that is generally falling in other comparable European nations. We must act to change this."
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