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National Records of Scotland. (2025) Scotland. Avoidable mortality, 2023.

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External website: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/avoidab...


One in four people in Scotland die an avoidable death, according to National Records of Scotland. 

In 2023, Scotland saw 16,548 avoidable deaths. The figure is higher than before the pandemic which ended a downward trend since 2001. An avoidable death is one which is considered preventable or treatable. That might be through public health changes like banning smoking in public places or through healthcare like new treatments. The leading cause of avoidable mortality remained cancer, despite the rate steadily decreasing over time, followed by diseases of the circulatory system. 

Nearly one in six avoidable deaths were alcohol or drug-related. Avoidable deaths from alcohol and drug-related causes have risen over the past decade. The rate of avoidable deaths from alcohol and drug-related causes in 2023 was the third highest since 2001. Only 2020 and 2021 recorded higher levels.

People in the most deprived communities are four times as likely to die from an avoidable cause as those in the least deprived areas. Males have higher avoidable mortality rates than females.

Item Type
Dataset
Publication Type
International, Web Resource
Drug Type
All substances, Tobacco / Nicotine
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Date
June 2025
Publisher
National Records of Scotland
Corporate Creators
National Records of Scotland
EndNote

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