Epidemiology of cirrhosis of the liver: national mortality data.

Abstract

National mortality data for cirrhosis of the liver is evaluated with regard to longterm trends, age, sex and race, urban-rural differences, social class and occupation, and alcohol consumption. Cirrhosis mortality Is directly related to per capita consumption of alcohol from spirits and wine. The experience of the United Kingdom is cited to indicate that governmental fiscal and regulatory measures to reduce per capita alcohol consumption can markedly lower mortality from cirrhosis of the liver.