Transcript Excess Winter Deaths

Excess Winter Deaths
Dr Alison Barnett
Excess Winter Deaths
• EWD Index = excess of deaths in winter
months (Dec-March) compared to non winter
deaths expressed as a %
• Medway 2008-11 17%
• An important public health issue
• Greater risk for older people
• Varies across the country 6% - 61%
Diseases contributing to excess
winter deaths
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CHD
Stroke
Influenza & Pneumonia
Chronic lower respiratory diseases
International comparison
• Studies show mortality increases as
temperature falls
• This is more marked in countries with milder
climates
• EWDI in UK is higher than in Scandinavia
Causes
• Low indoor temperature - poor insulation and
housing standards
• Outdoor exposure to cold
Risk factors
• Age – over 75’s
• No clear link with deprivation – lowest socioeconomic groups don’t necessarily live in
coldest homes.
• Fuel poverty
• Private housing – older properties with poor
energy efficiency and lack of central heating
• Reliance on public transport
• Pre existing respiratory disease
• Care home residents
Making the Headlines
THE DAILY EXPRESS
Sunday 22 September 2013
Making the Headlines
THE INDEPENDENT
Friday 08 November 2013
THE DAILY EXPRESS
Thursday 29 November 2012
Making the Headlines
BBC News
Thursday 17 October 2013
BBC News
Monday 21 October 2013
Public Health Outcomes Framework
The percentage of households estimated to be
fuel poor
• Under the “Low Income, High Cost” measure, households are
considered to be fuel poor where:
1 – They have required fuel costs that are above average (the
national median level)
2 – Were they to spend that amount, they would be left with a residual
income below the official fuel poverty line.
Public Health Outcomes Framework
• EWDI – all ages and 85+
What does the data say?
Excess mortality as a percentage
increase in winter deaths in comparable
European economies
Eurowinter Study (1997)
National Initiatives
• Vaccinations for those at higher risk of Flu
(Influenza) or Pneumonia (Pneumococcal disease)
• Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• Green Deal
• Winter fuel payments
What can you do to help?
‘Public health is everybody's business’
In your tables please discuss the following:
1. What can you do in your current job role and teams
to help keep people warm and well during winter?
2. What can you do collectively with the people on
your table to help keep people warm and well during
winter? (Hint: partnership working)
10 minutes to discuss
Cllr David Brake
Portfolio Holder for Adult Services
Email: [email protected]
For further information
Medway JSNA:
http://www.medwayjsna.info/jsna-appendices-adults.html
Kent JSNA:
http://www.kmpho.nhs.uk/jsna/excess-winter-deaths/
Contact:
Kas Hardy
Public Health Specialist – Kent County Council
[email protected]