ONS figures show that although there was improvement from 2012/13, vulnerable people are still more likely to die in the winter.
ONS figures show that although there was improvement from 2012/13, vulnerable people are still more likely to die in the winter
Today the Office for National Statistics has released figures for the number of excess winter deaths that occurred in England and Wales last winter.
Like many countries, England and Wales see an increased number of deaths in the winter months. Above average mortality rates typically occur between December and March.
Today’s figures show that in 2013/14, there was the lowest rate of excess winter mortality (EWM) since 1950/51, when records began.
Still, the figure is at 18,200, meaning that 11.6 per cent more people died in the winter months than the summer months of last year.
As in previous years, excess winter deaths are seen more in females than in males. So while male EWM decreased from 13,040 to 7,900, female deaths fell from 18,240 to 10,300 between 2012/13 and 2013/14.
The majority of the deaths were among people aged 75 and over. 14,000 people in this age group died last winter, compared to 4,000 people under 75.
There were also regional variations; the EWM index was highest in the West Midlands (13.7 per cent) and the North West (13.2 per cent) and lowest in the North East (9.8 per cent). However the ONS say that regional variations are not consistent from year to year, and that local authorities move up and down the index.
The causes of EWM are varied and complex. Previous research has shown that excess winter deaths occur far more in countries with milder winters, like Spain and Portugal, than in Scandinavian countries where winters are harsher.
This suggests a lack of preparation and community support for cold months in warmer countries.
People in milder climates also tend to live in homes with poorer thermal efficiency. Research has shown that low indoor temperatures are associated with deaths from cardiovascular diseases.
This is why fuel poverty continues to be such a troubling issue, as there is a direct correlation between people being unable to heat their homes and increased incidence of certain diseases.
ONS’ study states that:
“Although EWM is associated with low temperatures, conditions directly relating to cold, such as hypothermia, are not the main cause of EWM.
“The majority of additional winter deaths are caused by cerebrovascular diseases, ischaemic heart disease and respiratory diseases”.
Influenza is also recognised to be connected to EWM. 1999/2000 had high levels of EWM which coincided with the last influenza epidemic.
The ONS believe that the low levels of EWM last winter may be due to the circulation of a subtype of the influenza which predominantly affects young adults rather than the more vulnerable elderly.
Ruby Stockham is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward. Follow her on Twitter
2 Responses to “Last winter had lowest rate of excess deaths since records began”
Leon Wolfeson
….And it was mild.
A cold winter or a bad flu season, with the number of people who can’t afford to heat their homes…
littleoddsandpieces
The future will hold far more deaths from hypothermia in unheated homes with the
NIL STATE PENSION FOR LIFE coming with the flat rate pension to
women born from 1953 and men born from 1951
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now
Women aged 60 who lost payout since 2013 and men from 65, mean a couple lose 7 years payout already, and then get hit with even lower state pension than the lowest level already of all rich nations bar poor Mexico.
The low state pension is also being made worse by the raised retirement age meaning people 60-66 – 68 being liable for starvation from benefit delays, losses and sanctions.
Pneumonia happens to the disabled / chronic sick who get the flu in unheated homes, as more often in bed for longer due to their conditions.
Each Spring I get at least 2 flus that go on my chest and I am only 60.
I paid 12 per cent of my wage for a third of a century of National Insurance contributions, only to lose 6 years of payout, when all MPs get about the same money as an 11 per cent pay rise.
My only hope is that The Greens will end being reluctant to make more widely known their new and unique policies since their Spring Conference 2014:
– universal, automatic, Citizen Income, non-withdrawable
to the level of basic income tax
– Bettered State Pension, granting a full state pension to all citizens
whatever their National Insurance contribution / credit history,
so leaving no citizen with no food and fuel money for life
even not granting the tiny top up to an even tinier part basic state pension
to someone turning 80 in 2016
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/state-pension-at-60-now