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Worrying rise in excess winter deaths in Wales
Oct 4 2010 by Sally Williams, Western Mail
EXCESS winter deaths increased by 74% last year, the chief medical officer for Wales has announced as he urged older people to get flu jabs.
The 2009 annual report by Dr Tony Jewell shows there was an estimated 2,500 extra deaths in Wales in winter compared to other times of the year ? an increase of 74% compared to the year before. He said 34% of winter deaths were caused by respiratory problems, including flu, which became exacerbated by the cold.
?More than 87% of winter deaths involve people aged over 75 years old, with the highest rates of death amongst people aged 85 years old or over,? he said. ?But there are steps that can be taken to stay well.?
Dr Jewell is calling for people to ensure that their homes are as energy-efficient as possible, so they can be adequately heated during the winter months, as well as urging those in the seasonal flu at-risk groups to get vaccinated.
?I urge people over the age of 65 and those in the seasonal flu at-risk groups, such as those with diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, to protect themselves against flu by being vaccinated,? he said. ?Flu vaccine is safe and is the simplest and most effective way to protect people from the risks of flu?
?The free vaccine is usually available from the beginning of October and people should contact their local GP surgery now to enquire about getting their vaccination as early as possible.?
The report, to be published later this week, will show excess winter deaths increased significantly in 2008/09, highlighting the need to prepare for the winter and raising concerns about the effect of the cold spell last winter on excess deaths and weather-related injuries.
The Met Office said temperatures from December until the end of February 2009/10 were the coldest in 31 years. The mean temperature was 1.51C last winter, compared with a 3.7C average.
Dr Jewell said: ?Because the weather in the UK is not predictable, we are not always prepared for the severe bad weather? Older people are more susceptible to illnesses when the temperatures start to drop.
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Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/he...#ixzz11NxZek8p
Oct 4 2010 by Sally Williams, Western Mail
EXCESS winter deaths increased by 74% last year, the chief medical officer for Wales has announced as he urged older people to get flu jabs.
The 2009 annual report by Dr Tony Jewell shows there was an estimated 2,500 extra deaths in Wales in winter compared to other times of the year ? an increase of 74% compared to the year before. He said 34% of winter deaths were caused by respiratory problems, including flu, which became exacerbated by the cold.
?More than 87% of winter deaths involve people aged over 75 years old, with the highest rates of death amongst people aged 85 years old or over,? he said. ?But there are steps that can be taken to stay well.?
Dr Jewell is calling for people to ensure that their homes are as energy-efficient as possible, so they can be adequately heated during the winter months, as well as urging those in the seasonal flu at-risk groups to get vaccinated.
?I urge people over the age of 65 and those in the seasonal flu at-risk groups, such as those with diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, to protect themselves against flu by being vaccinated,? he said. ?Flu vaccine is safe and is the simplest and most effective way to protect people from the risks of flu?
?The free vaccine is usually available from the beginning of October and people should contact their local GP surgery now to enquire about getting their vaccination as early as possible.?
The report, to be published later this week, will show excess winter deaths increased significantly in 2008/09, highlighting the need to prepare for the winter and raising concerns about the effect of the cold spell last winter on excess deaths and weather-related injuries.
The Met Office said temperatures from December until the end of February 2009/10 were the coldest in 31 years. The mean temperature was 1.51C last winter, compared with a 3.7C average.
Dr Jewell said: ?Because the weather in the UK is not predictable, we are not always prepared for the severe bad weather? Older people are more susceptible to illnesses when the temperatures start to drop.
.....
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/he...#ixzz11NxZek8p