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Northern Ireland Office;Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Answer

Mr. Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland in (a) 1997, (b) 1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; what were the winter mortality rates for (1) the population as a whole, (2) people aged 60 to 74, (3) people aged 75 to 84 and (4) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group compared to non-winter deaths in (A) 1997-98, (B) 1992-93, (C) 1987-88, (D) 1982-83 and (E) 1977-78. [79420] Mr. Paul Murphy: Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Statistics and Research Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Edgar Jardine. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from E. F. Jardine to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 2 April 1999: You tabled a parliamentary question asking the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland-- (1) how many deaths were hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death took place in Northern Ireland in (a) 1997, (b) 1992, (c) 1987, (d) 1982 and (e) 1977 amongst those (i) of all ages, (ii) aged 60 to 74, (iii) aged 74 to 84 and (iv) aged over 85 years; and (2) what were the winter mortality rates for (a) the population as a whole, (b) people aged 60 to 74, (c) people aged 75 to 84 and (d) people aged over 85 years; and what the percentage increase was in each age group compared to non-winter deaths in (i) 1997/98, (ii) 1992/93, (iii) 1987/88, (iv) 1982/83 and (v) 1977/78, respectively. Deaths are classified by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. In answer to part (1) of your question Table 1 shows the number of deaths occurring in Northern Ireland, in each of the years specified, where hypothermia (ICD code 991.6) was either the main cause or a contributory cause of death. In 1977, there were no deaths attributed to hypothermia, but as the table shows, 14 deaths were attributed to ICD code 991 which covers all deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature. Consequently the detailed information requested on hypothermia has been produced for deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature, as shown in Table 2. Table 1: Death due to the effects of reduced temperature by ICD code _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Deaths due to the effects 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 of reduced temperature ICD code 991.6--hypothermia 0 17 15 14 22 ICD code 991.9--unspecified 0 0 4 0 0 ICD code 991--sub-code not 14 0 0 0 2 specified (excluding 991.6 and 991.9) ICD code 991--all deaths 14 17 19 14 24 due to the effects of reduced temperature _________________________________________________________________________________________________. In response to part (2) of your question Table 3 shows the winter and non-winter mortality rates as requested and the percentage increase from non-winter to winter mortality rates in each of the categories. I trust this information is sufficient, however if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. Table 2: Deaths due to the effects of reduced temperature {1} Number of deaths _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Deaths by age 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 Main cause 0 to 59 years 13 2 1 3 4 60 to 74 years 1 6 1 1 3 75 to 84 years 0 5 1 3 3 85 or more years 0 4 0 1 1 All ages 14 17 3 8 11 Contributory cause 0 to 59 years 0 0 6 0 8 60 to 74 years 0 0 3 2 2 75 to 84 years 0 0 4 4 2 85 or more years 0 0 3 0 1 All ages 0 0 16 6 13 All causes 0 to 59 years 13 2 7 3 12 60 to 74 years 1 6 4 3 5 75 to 84 years 0 5 5 7 5 85 or more years 0 4 3 1 2 All ages 14 17 19 14 24 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Deaths shown have been coded as ICD code 991--Deaths due to effects of reduced temperature Table 3: A comparison of winter and non-winter mortality rates (all causes) Rates per 1,000 population _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year {1,2} Mortality rates 1977-78 1982-83 1987-88 1992-93 1997-98 {3,4} Winter mortality 0 to 59 years 2.9 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.5 60 to 74 years 36.2 34.4 31.6 25.9 22.8 75 to 84 years 104.8 102.0 91.1 77.6 74.9 85 or more years 252.5 246.8 233.9 189.0 208.4 All ages 12.2 12.0 11.2 9.7 9.7 Non winter mortality 0 to 59 years 2.6 2.1 2.0 1.6 1.5 60 to 74 years 29.3 29.0 26.6 25.1 20.7 75 to 84 years 85.8 80.8 74.6 73.2 65.3 85 or more years 195.5 172.9 192.6 182.2 178.3 All ages 10.1 9.7 9.6 9.4 8.7 Percentage increase from non winter to winter rates {5} 0 to 59 years 11 14 2 -0 -1 60 to 74 years 24 19 19 3 10 75 to 84 years 22 26 22 6 15 85 or more years 29 43 21 4 17 All ages 21 24 17 4 12 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Year incorporates December of year 1 and January to November of year 2. For example, 1997-98 incorporates December of 1997 and January to November of 1998. {2} Winter months assumed to be December--March. {3} 1998 deaths figures are provisional. {4} 1998 population projection used as denominator for rate calculation as 1998 mid-year population estimate will not be available until June of 1999. {5} The rounded percentages shown have been calculated using unrounded rates.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

329 c141-3W; 79420

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Death Northern Ireland Older people Weather Hypothermia Mortality rates Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency

Contains statistics

Yes