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<p>A greater number of people die, or are admitted to hospital, during the winter
than any other time of year. There are, on average, around 25,000 excess winter deaths
each year in England; for every one excess winter death it has been estimated that
there are approximately eight extra hospital admissions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The
causes of excess winter death and illness are complex and interlinked, and include
circulating diseases such as influenza, cold temperatures and wider determinants of
health, such as poor housing. It is difficult to precisely attribute the relative
impacts of each on overall levels of death and illness and there is a degree of variation
year on year.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Cold weather directly increases the risk
of heart attacks, strokes, lung disease, flu, falls and injuries and hypothermia.
Indirect effects of cold include mental health illnesses such as depression, risk
of carbon monoxide poisoning if appliances are poorly maintained or poorly ventilated,
and disruption to service provision. Some groups, such as older people, very young
children, and people with serious medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of cold weather.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Public Health England publishes
the Cold Weather Plan for England to avoid preventable illness and deaths in winter
by setting out a series of actions for organisations, communities and individuals,
to take throughout the year.</p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>
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