Heat-related deaths usually make headlines, but new research has raised concerns about the number and characteristics of cold-related deaths.
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Fox – 2 Detroit
Every summer, we hear about the deadly and real dangers of extreme heat. But perhaps we need to pay more attention to the effects of winter cold.
Researchers found that 65% of temperature-related deaths over the past 25 years were due to cold, and the remaining 35% were heat-related. Overall, about 69,256 people who died in the United States during this period had exposure to extreme temperatures recorded as an underlying or contributing factor, according to a new study.
The study results are published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Most deaths are preventable
“Our findings show that both heat and cold continue to kill thousands of people each year in the United States, but those deaths are largely preventable,” lead author Shadi Abouhashem of the Massachusetts General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute said in a statement.
Abohachem said the main message from this study is that exposure to both heat and cold continues to cause preventable deaths, and these deaths are not evenly distributed. Adults 65 and older, men, and non-Hispanic blacks consistently face the highest risk in both hot and cold climates. “These patterns have remained stable for 25 years, highlighting the need for targeted protection for the most vulnerable groups.”
This study breaks new ground, as most previous studies have relied on predictions or ecological models, often looking at heat and cold separately. “Our study uses 25 years of real-world data from the United States and analyzes heat-related and cold-related deaths side-by-side by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. This provides a clearer, more up-to-date picture of who is most affected and where the greatest disparities lie.”
We usually focus more on heat-related deaths than on cold-related deaths. Should I reconsider that?
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Heat is a growing concern with climate change and definitely deserves attention, Abohachem said. “However, our findings and many global studies show that overall cold exposure still accounts for the majority of temperature-related deaths, in large part because cold-related deaths often occur on moderately cool days, not just during extreme events, and most are associated with exacerbation of chronic disease rather than hypothermia itself.”
“That said, the balance is rapidly shifting due to climate change,” he said in an email to USA TODAY. “As highlighted in recent studies, heat-related mortality is increasing faster than cold-related mortality is decreasing, so the relative burden is expected to shift towards heat.
“Thus, rather than shifting focus from heat or cold, our public health efforts must prepare for both hazards (especially high-risk groups) at the same time, with increasing urgency for heat as temperatures continue to rise,” he told USA TODAY.
Are there hidden risks associated with cold weather?
Yes, cold exposure can worsen underlying conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, and poor circulation, according to Abohahem, but in many cases, dramatic “extreme cold” does not occur.
“Many of these deaths occur indoors with inadequate heating, especially among older people. We can make a big difference by improving home insulation, ensuring access to heat and checking in on vulnerable populations during colder months.”
The National Weather Service has long said that heat is the deadliest weather phenomenon in the United States. Why does the disparity occur?
The National Weather Service often uses incident-based reports tied to specific acute weather events, he reports.
“Our study uses data from death certificates, where coroners record whether heat or cold contributed to a person’s death. Death certificates record far more cases involving chronic or indirect effects, so we expect the numbers to be even higher. These are two different indicators, each serving a different purpose.”
Weather service graphs show that cold-related deaths are far fewer than heat-related deaths. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average number of deaths per year due to heat over the past 30 years is 238, while the number of deaths per year due to cold is 38. “That’s probably because the NWS only counts deaths associated with specific weather events, such as heat waves and winter storms,” he says.
“Most cold-related deaths occur quietly indoors or on moderately cold days and may not be reported to the NWS or at all, but are noted on death certificates. That’s why medical data consistently shows that cold-related deaths are far more prevalent,” Abouhashem said.
Were the results surprising?
“We expected older adults to be at higher risk, but the disparity was particularly striking among men and non-Hispanic blacks,” Abohachem said. “We were also struck by how consistent these gaps were over time, confirming that temperature-related mortality is not only an environmental issue, but also an equity issue.”
