Written question WQ85491

We are committed to ensuring everyone with liver disease in Wales has access to the best possible care.

Alcohol is a major cause of death and illness in Wales, including cancer, chronic liver disease and cardiovascular disease. Although we have made important progress in reducing harmful levels of alcohol consumption, there is more work to do. In 2020, there were 438 alcohol-specific deaths in Wales, an increase of 20% compared to the previous year.

We recognise the impact obesity has on a range of chronic diseases, including non-alcohol related fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Obesity has an impact on a wide range of chronic diseases, which increases the years lived in disability and has an impact on overall life expectancy.

Our Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy is a key commitment towards a cross-government approach to reducing obesity in Wales on a population scale and has been developed from evidence of what works.

Some studies have suggested that more deprived areas experience higher rates of premature deaths from liver disease than the less deprived areas.

We have a Health in All Policies approach to addressing health inequalities. This includes action to ensure equal access to healthcare services and wider policies such as the Flying Start programme, tackling poor quality housing and fuel poverty, our Employability Plan and addressing air pollution.