Sunderland, a city in the North East of England, has seen a significant increase in deaths attributed to “despair” compared to London. Recent research conducted by Health Equity North (HEN), the University of Manchester, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research revealed that deaths from alcohol, drugs, and suicide, collectively referred to as “deaths of despair,” occur more frequently in socially deprived communities.
The analysis of data spanning from 2019 to 2021 identified a total of 46,200 deaths associated with despair during this period, translating to an average of 42 deaths per day. Notably, Sunderland ranks sixth among all local authority areas in the country with the highest rates of deaths of despair.
Further examination of the research findings indicates that 16 out of the top 20 local authority areas experiencing the highest rates of deaths of despair are located in the North of England. Newcastle and South Tyneside also made it to the list, with County Durham not faring much better. In contrast, none of the local authorities with the lowest rates of deaths of despair are situated in the North.
Christine Camacho, lead author and PhD Fellow at the National Institute for Health Research, emphasized the need for targeted public health interventions to prevent deaths related to drugs, alcohol, and suicide. She underscored the necessity of addressing the underlying inequalities in health and wealth, particularly prevalent in the North of England.
Dr. Luke Munford, co-academic director at Health Equity North and senior lecturer in health economics at the University of Manchester, highlighted the persistent health disparities in Northern regions. The findings of the study shed light on the urgent need to address the root causes of despair-related deaths to develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Responding to the research findings, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson reiterated the government’s commitment to narrowing the gap in healthy life expectancy and increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035. The spokesperson mentioned substantial investments in mental health services and a comprehensive Suicide Prevention Strategy with over 130 actionable initiatives, including early intervention and crisis support.
Moreover, the Government’s plans include creating 50,000 additional spots in drug and alcohol treatment services to reduce suicide rates within a specified timeframe. The Department of Health and Social Care emphasized the importance of addressing major health drivers through a comprehensive conditions strategy. The government’s efforts align with the overarching goal of promoting a smoke-free generation and saving lives through targeted interventions and policies.