Winter 'excess' deaths rise

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Office for National Statistics has calculated there were 36,700 deaths between December and March 2008/09. The greater number of "excess" deaths occurred in people over the age of 85 and deaths in women formed a higher proportion, possibly due to the fact women live longer.

Hypothermia due to lower heating temperatures allows diseases such as flu to thrive. Consequently, the statistics show a rise in respiratory diseases.

Age Concern and Help the Aged is appealing to the government to do more to tackle rising energy bills to help pensioners affected.

Andrew Harrop of Age Concern and Help the Aged, said: "It is a national scandal that the UK has more older people dying in winter, compared to the rest of the year, than countries with more severe weather, such as Sweden and Finland.

"Excess winter deaths of older people have remained stubbornly high in recent years, but last winter's huge spike sounds a deafening wake-up call about the older population's well-being if we have another cold snap.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the government was working to increase uptake of grants to improve heating systems and insulation and benefits for those whose health was most likely to be affected by cold weather. Advice on how to stay fit and healthy through the winter is also available through the 'Keep Warm, Keep Well' campaign.

However, the chief officer for Age Concern in North Yorkshire, Alex Bird said: "We're not surprised by these figures. The key factor for older people is to stay active and socialise, but for people in North Yorkshire, because of the demographic, this can be difficult. The elderly should go to the local lunch clubs and activities in the community because this can be the best way to stay healthy.

"We need to make sure more older people can be entitled to benefits because at the moment there are too many on the margins who need help."

Greg Clark, the shadow energy secretary, said fuel bills were at record levels: "Pensioner households are clearly among the most vulnerable during the winter months, so it is disturbing that they are also the most likely to be struggling to afford to heat their homes adequately."