Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

7.7 SEASONAL EXCESS DEATHSREDUCING SEASONAL EXCESS DEATHSExcess winter deaths (EWD) are widely attributed to the effects of cold. They occurmainly in the elderly and more particularly in the over 85 year age group. Themajority of deaths are linked to circulatory and respiratory diseases and there is asmaller, but relevant, number linked to falls. There are also increased numbers ofdeaths linked to seasonal influenza, which can increase greatly in a flu pandemic.Older people living in older or large properties who cannot afford to keep their housewarm are most at risk, and fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of annual incomeon energy bills to keep the house heated to adequate levels) affects the elderly andvulnerable groups the most.Initiatives designed to improve insulation and heating of properties are known toimpact on excess winter deaths. Other high impact initiatives are those designed toreduce falls in the elderly and to promote the uptake of influenza vaccinations. Whilstmost of the effective initiatives focus on reducing deaths from cold, it must be bornein mind that excess summer temperatures, also cause an increase in deaths amongthe very young, the vulnerable and the elderly. This is likely to become more of aproblem if the predicted effects of climate change come about.EXCESS WINTER DEATHS IN DUDLEYExcess winter deaths are defined as:The number of deaths in the four winter months (December to March) minus theaverage number of deaths in the preceding four months (August to November) andthe subsequent four months (April to July).This means the year used for calculations runs from August to July, compared withother data which is usually based on a calendar year (January to December) or afinancial year (April to March). The calculation of EWD is expressed as a percentageof the average number of deaths in the preceding four months and this provides theexcess winter deaths index (EWDI).143