Summer heatwaves ‘killed record number of pensioners’

This summer's heatwaves may have killed a record number of pensioners, data from the Office for National Statistics and UK Health Security Agency suggests.

Record-breaking temperatures in June, July and August resulted in 2,803 excess deaths in people aged 65 and over, data shows, the highest number since records began in 2004.

Excess deaths, above the average number that would usually be expected at that time of year, were counted during "heat periods", when temperatures were particularly high or a "heat-health alert" had been issued

"This is the highest excess mortality figure during heat-periods observed since the introduction of the heatwave plan for England in 2004," the report said.

During the three days when temperatures were highest, from July 17 to 20, over 1,000 excess deaths in people over 65 were reported. Temperatures breached 40C across the country on July 19, the first time this has been recorded in the UK.

The numbers could grow further because September deaths are not yet taken into account, the report says.

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness because of the stress it puts on circulation and respiratory systems.

People with dementia can also be more at risk because they are less able to understand and communicate their risk of dehydration and heat stroke.

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease were the most common underlying causes of death during the hot periods.

Deaths may have been 'brought forward'

Each rise in deaths during a hot period was followed by a period of below-average numbers, suggesting that many of the deaths had been "brought forward" by a few days.

Sarah Caul, head of mortality analysis at the ONS, said: "During the UK summer of record-breaking temperatures, there was an increase in deaths.

"However, these 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.

"This trend is consistent with what we have seen in previous summers with heatwave periods.

"It is also the case that despite peaks in mortality during heatwaves, the majority of days in the winter period (December to March) show a higher number of deaths than we see during summer."

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

"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.

"Prolonged periods of hot weather are a particular risk for elderly people, those with heart and lung conditions or people who are unable to keep themselves cool such as people with learning disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease."