Summer Heatwave Killed Record 2,803 Over-65s In England

As a result of the exceptionally hot summer of 2022, there were a record-breaking 2,803 excess deaths recorded among the over-65 population in England compared to the five-year average for those periods, official figures published on Friday showed.

"Across all 5 heat-periods of 2022, adjusting for registration delays, the estimated total excess mortality (excluding COVID-19) in England was 2,803 for the most vulnerable age group (those aged 65 years and over), the highest number since the introduction of the Heatwave plan for England in 2004," the Office for National Statistics and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated in a joint report.

The excess deaths among the over-65s during heat days were partly compensated by lower than average deaths in the days following each heatwave, suggesting a short-term mortality displacement, where deaths among vulnerable individuals are brought forward by a few days or weeks as a result of the excess heat.

"This is the highest excess mortality figure during heat-periods observed since the introduction of the Heatwave plan for England in 2004," the UK government's accompanying press release noted.

In the UK, there were five periods when temperatures exceeded the Met Office's heatwave threshold over three days or more, between June and August 2022. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) were recorded for the first time ever in the country.

Among the general population, the article indicates that 3,271 excess deaths were recorded over the same period in England and Wales, with an average of 82 excess deaths per day, which is 6.2% higher than the five-year average. However, this figure does not exclude those who died with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

The UKHSA's Heatwave Plan for England aims to avert preventable health impacts from severe heat.