Excess winter deaths are higher in the UK than in colder countries.

Abstract

Excess winter mortality of thousands of deaths of older people occurs every year in the UK. These deaths are largely avoidable. Most are not due to hypothermia but to respiratory illness, myocardial infarction and stroke. The risk of death rises as the temperature drops below 120°C but is associated with the burden of the range of temperatures over the winter period rather than with isolated 'cold snaps'. Excess winter deaths are higher in the UK than in the colder countries of Scandinavia. This is because Scandinavians have warmer homes and a different approach to going outside. Frequent brief excursions outside increase the risk of thrombosis by raising blood pressure and haemo-concentration so increasing the risk of thrombosis.