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

Details

• Journal Article:
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• Personal Author:
  Meiman, Jonathan G. ; Anderson, Henry A. ; 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:
  • Hypothermia; Cold environments; Fatalities; Mortality data; Age factors; Sex factors; Mental illness
• Source:
  MMWR 2015 Feb; 64(6):141-143
• Series:
  Weekly Report: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• ISSN:
  0149-2195
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Georgia ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Wisconsin
• 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
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/183135/cdc_183135_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 179.46 KB]
• Collection(s):
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:5c8aaeed24db57bd2ed6874bfd90b1d4a824c8d1ddfce20f39cf8e02b7cb157449b1732a30bbc82c0003c40fd0021e6d7c9432e2d124e0526a42817eb9be053e