pmcMMWR Morb Mortal Wkly RepMMWR Morb Mortal Wkly RepWRMorbidity and Mortality Weekly Report0149-21951545-861XCenters for Disease Control and Prevention351760098853478mm7107a610.15585/mmwr.mm7107a6Quick StatsQuickStats: Death Rates* Attributed to Excessive Cold or Hypothermia,† by Urbanization Level§ and Sex — National Vital Statistics System, 2018–2020Reported by: Merianne R. Spencer, MPH, MSpencer@cdc.gov, 301-458-4377; Matthew F. Garnett, MPH.18220221822022717282282https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/All material in the MMWR Series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.

During 2018–2020, death rates attributed to excessive cold or hypothermia were generally higher in more rural areas. Among females, the death rate increased from 0.11 per 100,000 for those residing in large central metro areas, to 0.40 for those in noncore (rural) areas. Among males, the death rates were lowest for those residing in large central metro areas (0.29) and large fringe metro areas (0.24), and highest in noncore (rural) areas (0.93). Males had higher death rates than females for each corresponding urbanization level.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data, 2018–2020. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/deaths.htm

Crude rate of deaths per 100,000 population; 95% CIs indicated by error bars.

Deaths attributed to excessive cold or hypothermia were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision underlying cause-of-death code X31 (exposure to excessive natural cold) and multiple cause-of-death code T68 (hypothermia).

Urbanization level is based on county of residence using the National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf