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Lowest ever winter deaths recorded | Lowest ever winter deaths recorded |
(35 minutes later) | |
The lowest ever number of winter deaths was recorded last year, official figures for England and Wales show. | |
An estimated 18,200 excess winter deaths occurred in 2013-14, the lowest number since records began in 1950-51. | An estimated 18,200 excess winter deaths occurred in 2013-14, the lowest number since records began in 1950-51. |
Last winter was notably warmer than in previous years and had a relatively mild flu season which contributed to the lower number of deaths. | Last winter was notably warmer than in previous years and had a relatively mild flu season which contributed to the lower number of deaths. |
The Office for National Statistics data compares deaths in winter months with averages in other seasons. | The Office for National Statistics data compares deaths in winter months with averages in other seasons. |
It showed 11.6% more people died last winter and elderly people were disproportionately affected. | |
Of the 18,200 excess deaths, 14,000 were in the over-75s. | |
Mild | Mild |
Temperatures were 2C above average for December and January last year. | Temperatures were 2C above average for December and January last year. |
The ONS report said: "The peak in mortality for 2013-14 was much less pronounced than in previous years with 8% fewer mean [average] daily deaths during December and January compared to the five year average." | The ONS report said: "The peak in mortality for 2013-14 was much less pronounced than in previous years with 8% fewer mean [average] daily deaths during December and January compared to the five year average." |
While excess winter deaths are linked to low temperatures, hypothermia is not the main cause. | While excess winter deaths are linked to low temperatures, hypothermia is not the main cause. |
Experience shows that the majority of such deaths are due to heart disease, stroke and respiratory illness. | Experience shows that the majority of such deaths are due to heart disease, stroke and respiratory illness. |
However, the flu season was mild and the type of flu virus circulating last winter had a bigger impact on young adults than elderly people. | |
"The combination of mild winter temperatures and circulation of a subtype of influenza virus which predominantly impacts on young adults rather than the elderly may partly explain the low levels of excess winter mortality in 2013-14," the report said. | "The combination of mild winter temperatures and circulation of a subtype of influenza virus which predominantly impacts on young adults rather than the elderly may partly explain the low levels of excess winter mortality in 2013-14," the report said. |
Met Office predictions suggest this winter is likely to be relatively mild as well. | |
Historical trend | Historical trend |
In 1950-51, an estimated 106,400 excess winter deaths were recorded, but the figures were closer to 60,000 for most of that decade. | In 1950-51, an estimated 106,400 excess winter deaths were recorded, but the figures were closer to 60,000 for most of that decade. |
There has been a consistent decline since then with deaths averaging around 50,000 in the 70s and 40,000 in the 80s. | There has been a consistent decline since then with deaths averaging around 50,000 in the 70s and 40,000 in the 80s. |
Despite improvements, the UK tends to have higher winter mortality figures than colder countries such as Germany and Finland. | Despite improvements, the UK tends to have higher winter mortality figures than colder countries such as Germany and Finland. |
It is thought that people who live in countries with relatively mild winters have less insulated homes and are less likely to wear warm gear in cold weather. | |
Commenting on the report, Age UK's Caroline Abrahams, said: "It is truly shocking that thousands of older people are dying unnecessarily every winter because they cannot afford to keep warm. | Commenting on the report, Age UK's Caroline Abrahams, said: "It is truly shocking that thousands of older people are dying unnecessarily every winter because they cannot afford to keep warm. |
"This is a national disgrace and a damning indictment of our failure to tackle the root cause of the problem: cold, energy-inefficient homes. | "This is a national disgrace and a damning indictment of our failure to tackle the root cause of the problem: cold, energy-inefficient homes. |
"Fewer older people died last year compared to recent years, but the winter was exceptionally mild: we must not be complacent about the cold homes which cause so many deaths among older people because who knows how bad this and future winters will be." | |
She called on the government to "bring all our housing up to a high energy efficiency standard". | She called on the government to "bring all our housing up to a high energy efficiency standard". |