Heat killed 50,000, cold over 200,000 in England, and Wales since 1988

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) – England and Wales have witnessed more than 50,000 heat-related deaths and over 200,000 cold-related deaths since 1988, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

These figures shed light on the deadly consequences of extreme temperatures, with both scorching summers and bitter winters posing significant risks to public health.

The ONS report highlights that while cold temperatures have been the more significant contributor to mortality, heat-related deaths have been on the rise in recent years.

In 2022, an estimated 4,507 deaths in England were linked to heat, marking the highest number of heat-related fatalities in the past 35 years.

The ONS report emphasizes that the danger to human health escalates significantly as temperatures deviate from the optimal range.

When temperatures soar to 25C and above, the number of temperature-related deaths increases by approximately 50%, compared to the ideal temperature for human well-being.

On the other hand, when temperatures plunge below -5C, the number of temperature-related deaths surges by about 75%.

Meanwhile, the ONS said it gathered its data by consulting the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis and devised a novel approach to grasp the relationship between temperature and the likelihood of mortality.