January is the month in which the most deaths are registered in Cambridgeshire - with nearly 50 per cent more registrations than the “safest” month of August.
That is the conclusion of new figures from the Office for National Statistics showing in which month deaths in different parts of England and Wales are registered
It turns out our county sees by far the most death registrations in January - followed by March, February and November.
August has seen the fewest death registrations over the last five years, with July in second and September third.
The month in which a death is registered is not necessarily the month in which a death took place. People who died in the last few days of a month can be registered in the following month, and coroners' processes can delay the registration.
It isn’t unusual that Cambridgeshire sees its highest number of death registrations in winter.
While most experts agree that lower temperatures are a major factor, an ONS investigation into the issue in 2003 pointed out that deaths in winter increased more in England and Wales than in other countries with colder climates .
That suggests other factors are also at play.
Research shows that older people are particularly vulnerable in winter months, and certain conditions - including chronic circulatory and
respiratory diseases - see a particular spikes in deaths.
Over the past five years - from the start of January 2014 to the end of December 2018 - 26,606 deaths have been registered in Cambridgeshire.
Some 2,780 of those were registered in January, compared to 1,957 which were registered in August.
That means more than one in 10 death registrations have happened in January - despite there being 12 months in the calendar year.
A total of 2,402 death registrations have happened in March, 2,347 in February, 2,272 in November, 2,254 in April and 2,250 in December.
The months with the fewest have been October, with 2,139 deaths; May, with 2,137; June, with 2,053; September, with 2,012; July, with 2,003; and August, with just 1,957.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Many older people are more vulnerable in winter months due to a toxic cocktail of
poor housing, high energy prices and ill health.
“These factors can make colder periods a dangerous time for many older people.
“We know such high levels of excess winter deaths are not inevitable. As a country we are not doing enough to ensure our older population
stays warm and well throughout the harsh winter months.
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“The Government needs to do more to end the scourge of cold homes and ensure older people are receiving all the financial support to which
they’re entitled.
“Age UK is urging older people to do everything possible to protect
themselves against the threats posed by the winter cold – including wrapping up warm when they go out and taking extra care if there’s
slippery ice about.
“Anyone who is concerned about staying warm and well can call us free of charge on 0800 169 6565 or check our website www.ageuk.org.uk.”
