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.