Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

Excess Winter Mortality Index (%)Mean Winter temperature (ºC) England & WalesThe excess winter mortality index (Figure 2) does not show a close correlation withlow mean winter temperatures, which suggests factors other than cold have played apart in those winters with higher than normal deaths. Seasonal influenza, forinstance, may also affect the EWDI.Figure 3AgeDudley Excess Winter Mortality Index, for deaths from all causes, Age 65+, 1983-200745.07.0040.06.0035.030.025.05.004.0020.015.010.05.03.002.001.000.00.00Dudley EWM (%) 2007/08YearE & W Mean temperature(Dec - Mar)Excess winter deaths can affect all age groups but the 65+ group has the biggestsusceptibility. Figure 3 shows that the profile for 65+ is similar to that for all ages.The increase in mortality for the 85+ age group is more pronounced, but thecorrelation between increased mortality and mean winter temperatures is not strong,suggesting that factors other than external temperature also play a part in this olderage group.145