Over the winters of 2012-2016, nearly 120,000 people in England and Wales died of cold weather, or factors associated with it - including influenza. Winter is considered to be December-March in this research, and sadly far exceed the numbers dying in alternate seasons. This has become known as 'excess winter deaths'.
Therefore, it would be natural to expect a correlation between cold weather and high mortality rates. For example, you'd be expecting Finland, with harsh winters and an average snow lying length of 90-120 days, to surely have a much higher rate of winter deaths? Well, you'd be wrong! Nordic countries with much colder weather, have far lower winter mortality rates, and Finland reports no difference in mortality at all between the summer and winter months!
Weather seems to play a small role in winter deaths, and many argue there are more pressing issues to blame...
(Fuel) Poverty
Poverty is often considered the significant factor behind excess winter deaths, particularly among campaigners. Age UK state that in 2014/15, excess winter deaths was a record high for the 21st century. They attributed this to 'cold, poorly insulated homes'. Citing a combination of cold homes, high energy bills and a lack of policy enabling reasonable home insulation for the elderly to provide a deadly combination. Research seems to support this. Poverty rates for women are much higher than for men, particularly amongst pensioners and female winter deaths thus leapt 150% in a single year, from 2013/14 to 2014/15. Although government fuel poverty schemes are widely criticised, the issue is clearly recognised as a factor as the government produce a comprehensive report each year. However, the UK's rate of fuel poverty is still much higher than that of Sweden.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
However, others would argue that wellbeing and mental health are the real concern. Sadly, pensioners often face social exclusion and loneliness, with age-related loss of identity leading to escalated levels of depression. The winter months themselves bring stress to the majority of us, but it can also emphasise the feeling of loneliness. The Samaritans responded to nearly 200,000 calls over the festive period of 2014 - they then found that over 23% of those they surveyed the following year found their problems to be much worse at Christmas. Although surprisingly suicide is actually more common in the Spring, poor wellbeing has been found to affect physical health which could perhaps explain a portion of the excess winter deaths.
However, others would argue that wellbeing and mental health are the real concern. Sadly, pensioners often face social exclusion and loneliness, with age-related loss of identity leading to escalated levels of depression. The winter months themselves bring stress to the majority of us, but it can also emphasise the feeling of loneliness. The Samaritans responded to nearly 200,000 calls over the festive period of 2014 - they then found that over 23% of those they surveyed the following year found their problems to be much worse at Christmas. Although surprisingly suicide is actually more common in the Spring, poor wellbeing has been found to affect physical health which could perhaps explain a portion of the excess winter deaths.
Nordic Healthcare
On a global scale, the Nordic countries provide a similar level of healthcare to their population. Quite significantly, Sweden reportedly has the best healthcare system in the world! In the same year, 2013, the UK was ranked 13th out of 15 European countries when it comes to investment in healthcare - which when faced with an elderly demographic seems completely absurd.
Healthcare - Getty Images
When looking at potential factors to explain excess winter deaths statistics, the 'nordic paradox' perhaps seems less mystifying. Low levels of fuel poverty and strong healthcare could be behind the lack of winter deaths and also paves a path for other countries to follow. The rest of Europe, the UK especially, should improve investment in affordable energy and healthcare alongside implementing an accessible, affordable scheme to allow our most vulnerable members of society a warm home and a longer life.
On a global scale, the Nordic countries provide a similar level of healthcare to their population. Quite significantly, Sweden reportedly has the best healthcare system in the world! In the same year, 2013, the UK was ranked 13th out of 15 European countries when it comes to investment in healthcare - which when faced with an elderly demographic seems completely absurd.
When looking at potential factors to explain excess winter deaths statistics, the 'nordic paradox' perhaps seems less mystifying. Low levels of fuel poverty and strong healthcare could be behind the lack of winter deaths and also paves a path for other countries to follow. The rest of Europe, the UK especially, should improve investment in affordable energy and healthcare alongside implementing an accessible, affordable scheme to allow our most vulnerable members of society a warm home and a longer life.
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