Reducing winter deaths

Every year in Wales, an additional 12 older people die from preventable causes over the winter months and we believe that this is an avoidable tragedy that we can help to prevent.

Winter health and poverty - the facts

• Every year thousands more people die during the winter months than in the rest of the year in the UK. 
• During the winter of 2010/11 there were 1,500 excess winter deaths in Wales.
• Around 90 per cent of excess winter deaths are of people aged 65 and over.
• Excess winter death levels are higher in the UK than nearby countries with colder climates such as Germany and Scandinavia.
• There are an estimated 332,000 households in Wales in fuel poverty – an increase of 15 per cent since 2004.
• Fuel poverty is a contributory factor in excess winter deaths.
• Fuel poverty is on the increase in Wales.
• Over 3.5 million older people (in 2.8 million households) live in fuel poverty in the UK. (Those in fuel poverty spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills.)
• One in three eligible people in later life do not claim Pension Credit.
• Between 2003 and 2009, average household gas bills doubled and average electricity bills rose by 60%.
• More than 1 in 3 (36%) people aged 60 or over in GB sometimes stay or live in just one heated room of their home to save money
• Risk of fuel poverty generally increases with age. In those households where the oldest person is aged between 60 and 79, almost 1 in 4 is living in fuel poverty. Over a third of the oldest households (80+) is fuel poor.
• In 2007, 44% of people in fuel poverty did not receive a means-tested benefit, Disability Living Allowance or tax credit – the most common triggers for assistance from the various fuel poverty programmes.