Hypothermia-Related Deaths – Wisconsin, 2014, and United States, 2003–2013

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• Personal Author:
  Anderson, Henry A. ; Meiman, Jonathan G. ; Tomasallo, Carrie D.
• Description:
  What is already known on this topic? Exposure to extreme cold is a leading cause of preventable weather-related mortality in the United States. Risks for hypothermia-related death include advanced age, mental illness, male sex, and drug intoxication. What is added by this report? During January-April 2014, a total of 27 hypothermia-related deaths occurred in Wisconsin. Eighteen decedents were male; median age was 66 years (range = 25-95 years). Six of nine tested for alcohol were positive. Eighteen bodies were discovered outdoors. Investigations revealed that five decedents had a history of mental illness, 15 lived alone, and two had been homeless. Rates of hypothermia-related deaths in the United States increased during 2003-2012. What are the implications for public health practice? Social isolation can be an important factor in hypothermia-related mortality. State and local health agencies might need to target public education and interventions at socially isolated groups, including older persons, the homeless, and those living alone. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Cold Temperature Hypothermia Mortality Occupational Health Safety Sex Characteristics
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Cold Environments Fatalities Mental Illness Mortality Data Sex Factors
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• ISSN:
  0149-2195 (print) ; 1545-861X (digital)
• Publisher:
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (U.S.)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 5 ; Wisconsin ; United States
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  4 pdf pages
• Volume:
  64
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20061308
• Citation:
  MMWR 2015 Feb; 64(6):141-143
• Email:
  xdf5@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Performing Organization:
  Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• End Date:
  20150630
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5c8aaeed24db57bd2ed6874bfd90b1d4a824c8d1ddfce20f39cf8e02b7cb157449b1732a30bbc82c0003c40fd0021e6d7c9432e2d124e0526a42817eb9be053e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/183135/cdc_183135_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 179.46 KB ]