England Recorded 2,800 Excess Deaths Among Those Aged 65 & Older During Record Heatwave
More than 2,800 more people aged 65 and over died in England during this summer’s heatwaves than would have otherwise, figures show, marking the highest excess death toll caused by heat in at least two decades.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recorded 43,755 non-Covid-related deaths of people in the 65-plus age group during this summer’s heatwaves in England. This was 2,809 more deaths than would be expected based on the surrounding fortnight, the highest number since the introduction of the heatwave plan for England in 2004.
Statistics released simultaneously by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of people who died across all age groups in England and Wales was 6.2% higher than normal for the time of year, compared with the five-year average. During the second heatwave, between 10 and 25 July – in which a new UK record temperature of 40.3C (104.5F) was set at Coningsby, Lincolnshire – overall excess deaths were 10.4% higher.
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The NHS came under increasing pressure during the hotter weather, with early warning systems data showing a rise in admissions for heatstroke and sunstroke, ambulance callouts for people affected by heat, and the number of people consulting NHS 111 online about heat exposure or sunburn. The figures show the increasing impact of the climate emergency on public health. A study by scientists at the World Weather Attribution group previously found the UK heatwave in July was made at least 10 times more likely as a result of human-induced climate change.
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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/07/england-excess-deaths-during-2022-heatwave
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