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Excess deaths for over 65s in summer 2022 heatwaves in England highest recorded since 2004

The number of excess deaths for people aged 65 and over recorded during the 2022 summer heatwave were the highest since 2004, latest figures show.

During the five "heat periods" of this year's extraordinarily hot summer, the estimated total excess deaths in England, excluding those from COVID-19, reached 2,803 for those in this age group.

This is the highest excess mortality figure during hot spells observed since the introduction of the Heatwave plan for England in 2004, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). In the five periods they assessed, either a level 3 Heat Health Alert (HHA) had been issued or the Central England Temperature (CET) exceeded 20C.

In July, when parts of England endured record-breaking 40°C heat, the UKHSA issued its first-ever Level 4 Heat Health Alert and an estimated 1,012 extra people died between 17-20 of that month.

The hot weather fuelled widespread drought in England, numerous vicious wildfires and fears for crop harvests.

"These estimates show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable," UKHSA chief scientific officer Isabel Oliver said.

She added: "higher excess deaths occurred during the hottest days this year and a warming climate means we must adapt to living safely with hotter summers in the future".

Climate breakdown made the July heatwave at least 10 times more likely, a rapid analysis by leading climate scientists found.

But it was the long hot period in August that brought the most number of excess deaths, with an estimated 1,458 people aged over 65 dying between 8 to 17 August.

Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), pointed out "spikes around the hottest days were followed by periods of below-average mortality".

"This is likely to be a result of short-term mortality displacement, especially among older age groups, where people died a few days or weeks earlier than expected," she said.

Ms Oliver from the UKHSA added that the estimates "show clearly that high temperatures can lead to premature death for those who are vulnerable".

Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, said the "threat to lives and livelihoods from summer heatwaves is undoubtedly increasing due to climate change.

He urged Prime Minister Liz Truss to "act decisively by initiating a national heat risk management strategy that can be properly put in place ahead of next summer and prevent further unnecessary suffering and death across the country".

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