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| Record excess deaths in UK's heatwave summer | Record excess deaths in UK's heatwave summer |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| As the UK endured record high temperatures of 40C this summer, there were around 3,000 more deaths in the over-65s than usual in England and Wales - the highest figure since 2004. | |
| Many happened during the hottest days towards the end of July and in early August. | |
| The data comes from a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). | The data comes from a report by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). |
| Experts say it shows just how dangerous hot weather can be. | Experts say it shows just how dangerous hot weather can be. |
| "These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable," said Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA. | "These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable," said Isabel Oliver, chief scientific officer at the UKHSA. |
| "A warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future." | "A warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future." |
| There were five heat-periods between June and August 2022 - defined as days when the average temperature is greater than 20°C in central England. | There were five heat-periods between June and August 2022 - defined as days when the average temperature is greater than 20°C in central England. |
| During those periods, there were 3,271 excess deaths - 6.2% above the five-year average - out of a total of 56,303 deaths in England and Wales. | During those periods, there were 3,271 excess deaths - 6.2% above the five-year average - out of a total of 56,303 deaths in England and Wales. |
| And among those aged 65 years and over, there were 2,803 excess deaths - the highest number since 2004, when England introduced a plan to prepare for heatwaves. | And among those aged 65 years and over, there were 2,803 excess deaths - the highest number since 2004, when England introduced a plan to prepare for heatwaves. |
| The UK recorded temperatures of over 40C (104F) for the first time between 17 and 20 July, during one of the hottest summers on record. | The UK recorded temperatures of over 40C (104F) for the first time between 17 and 20 July, during one of the hottest summers on record. |
| The report also found: | The report also found: |
| more excess deaths in women (2,159) compared with men (1,115) | more excess deaths in women (2,159) compared with men (1,115) |
| each heat-period was followed by a fall in deaths to below the average, suggesting deaths among the most vulnerable happened earlier than they would have done | each heat-period was followed by a fall in deaths to below the average, suggesting deaths among the most vulnerable happened earlier than they would have done |
| there were 1,458 excess deaths in over-65s from 8-17 August - the deadliest period of heat | there were 1,458 excess deaths in over-65s from 8-17 August - the deadliest period of heat |
| The analysis of deaths was compiled by the ONS using information from death registrations. The UKHSA also used a statistical model to estimate excess mortality, excluding Covid-19, during heat-periods. | The analysis of deaths was compiled by the ONS using information from death registrations. The UKHSA also used a statistical model to estimate excess mortality, excluding Covid-19, during heat-periods. |
| Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS, said: "During the UK summer of record-breaking temperatures, there was an increase in deaths. | Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS, said: "During the UK summer of record-breaking temperatures, there was an increase in deaths. |
| "However, these spikes around the hottest days were followed by periods of below average mortality. | "However, these spikes around the hottest days were followed by periods of below average mortality. |
| "This is likely to be a result of short-term mortality displacement, especially among older age groups, where people died a few days or weeks earlier than expected." | "This is likely to be a result of short-term mortality displacement, especially among older age groups, where people died a few days or weeks earlier than expected." |
| Most of those who died had dementia and Alzheimer's disease, making it the leading cause of excess deaths, the ONS said. | |
| People in older age groups with these conditions are most at risk during periods of intense heat. | People in older age groups with these conditions are most at risk during periods of intense heat. |
| The 3,000 extra deaths seen during the hottest days only go a small way to explaining the high rates of deaths seen this summer, however. | The 3,000 extra deaths seen during the hottest days only go a small way to explaining the high rates of deaths seen this summer, however. |
| In England and Wales, there were about 16,000 more deaths from June to August than we might expect based on previous summers. | In England and Wales, there were about 16,000 more deaths from June to August than we might expect based on previous summers. |
| During the winter months, there are still more deaths on most days than during a hot summer like 2022. | During the winter months, there are still more deaths on most days than during a hot summer like 2022. |
| Temperatures soared during the heatwave of summer 2022 | Temperatures soared during the heatwave of summer 2022 |
| How hot was summer 2022? | How hot was summer 2022? |
| It was the joint hottest summer in England, tied with 2018 in records going back to 1884, and the fourth warmest summer for the UK overall. | It was the joint hottest summer in England, tied with 2018 in records going back to 1884, and the fourth warmest summer for the UK overall. |
| Temperatures in the UK rose above 40C for the first time - with a new record-high temperature of 40.3C being set at Coningsby, Lincolnshire. | Temperatures in the UK rose above 40C for the first time - with a new record-high temperature of 40.3C being set at Coningsby, Lincolnshire. |
| 33 other locations went past the UK's previous highest temperature of 38.7C, set in 2019. | 33 other locations went past the UK's previous highest temperature of 38.7C, set in 2019. |
| New record-high temperatures were also set in Scotland and Wales in July - 34.8C and 37.1C respectively. | New record-high temperatures were also set in Scotland and Wales in July - 34.8C and 37.1C respectively. |
| Heat-health alert issued as UK braced for heatwave | Heat-health alert issued as UK braced for heatwave |
| Fires blaze after UK passes 40C for first time | Fires blaze after UK passes 40C for first time |
| Final day of 'extreme' heat with thunder on way | Final day of 'extreme' heat with thunder on way |
| ‘It’s like an oven’: Life in Britain’s hottest areas | ‘It’s like an oven’: Life in Britain’s hottest areas |