Strategic Issues
Strategic Issue 1
There is age-related vulnerability to liver disease and damage. Young people are showing signs of liver disease by age 24 and the rate of under 75 mortality from liver disease is higher than the national average.
Strategic Issue 2
Deprivation is a key driver to liver disease, a high proportion of Hartlepool’s LSOAs are in the top 10% most deprived nationally. Deprivation increases exposure to risk factors such as alcohol, the admission rate for alcohol-specific conditions is higher than the national average and increasing.
Strategic Issue 3
There is a link between substance misuse (drug and alcohol) and liver disease, there are high levels of substance misuse in the Borough which residents have highlighted through the Big Conversation.