Avoidable mortality in England and Wales: 2023

Deaths from causes considered avoidable. These deaths are either preventable or treatable, meaning they could be mainly avoided through interventions before or after the onset of disease or injury respectively.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is considered a preventable cause within this avoidable mortality definition. 

Key findings

• Around one in five deaths in 2023 were considered avoidable in England (21.6%) and Wales (22.7%). This is a similar proportion as in 2022, but still higher than pre-pandemic avoidable mortality rates.
• There were higher rates of avoidable mortality in males compared to females, and this was the case across all deprivation deciles in both countries.
• There were higher rates of avoidable mortality in more deprived areas. In England, the avoidable mortality rate for the most deprived decile was 3.9 times higher than the least deprived decile in males, and 3.5 times higher in females. In Wales, these rates were 2.7 times higher for males and females.
• Avoidable mortality due to alcohol and drug related causes has gradually increased from 2001 to 2023. As with other causes, the highest rates are found among men living in the most deprived areas.
• There was regional variation within England, with the highest rates of avoidable mortality in the North East and North West and the lowest rates of avoidable mortality in the most South East and South West.
• Cancer remained the leading cause of avoidable mortality in England and Wales in 2023, despite the rate steadily decreasing over time, followed by diseases of the circulatory system.

Commenting on today’s release Greg Ceely, Head of Population Health Monitoring at the ONS, said:

“Our latest analysis reveals several disparities in avoidable mortality. It continues to be higher in the most deprived communities, amongst men, and in the northern regions of England. The North East and North West had over 40% higher avoidable mortality rates than the South East and South West.

“These disparities are also seen in the rise in alcohol and drugs related avoidable mortality. Whilst it has steadily increased since 2001, in 2023 the highest rates are found among men living in the most deprived areas.

“Additionally, we found that whilst avoidable mortality initially fell after a rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates have not fallen further this year, so avoidable mortality remains higher than pre-pandemic rates.”

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Note to editors

• Data in this release have been created using the international avoidable mortality definition from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Avoidable deaths are defined as either preventable or treatable for those aged under 75 years. For further details see the Avoidable Mortality in the UK QMI. The OECD includes COVID-19 as an avoidable cause of death.

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