Even though the weather is getting warmer Cold weather also poses a serious threat to Americans. New research this month shows that deaths from the common cold have increased significantly in the United States over the past two decades.
Researchers from Harvard Medical School This study was conducted. It aims to better quantify deaths caused by extreme cold temperatures in the United States. They found that the national flu death rate has more than doubled since the late 1990s, with deaths especially increasing in recent years. Researchers say that key risk factors for increased mortality include extreme weather events related to climate change. homelessness and separation from society
Extremely high temperatures at both ends of the thermometer can be life-threatening. Although recent research This shows that heat-related deaths have increased in recent decades. But cold weather tends to be more deadly, 2021 study meet Cold was responsible for about three-quarters of global extreme temperature deaths in 2019 (about 1.7 million deaths overall that year).
Harvard University researchers note that death from the common cold in the United States has been little studied. And no one knows how this burden changes over time. To address this knowledge gap They analyzed death certificate data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It focuses on deaths in which flu was recorded as the underlying cause or cause.
Researchers found that between 1999 and 2022, just over 40,000 people will die from the common cold in the United States, after adjusting for age. They found that the death rate increased from 0.44 cold deaths per 100,000 people in 1999 to 0.92 such deaths per 100,000 people in 2022. This dramatic increase was driven by deaths. That increased significantly each year between 2017 and 2022. The team's findings include: published This month in the journal Jama–
“There is a rightful focus on heat-related deaths due to the undeniable nature of global warming,” lead study author Rishi Wadhera, a cardiologist and public health researcher at Harvard, told Gizmodo. via email “However Our results serve as a reminder that death from the common cold remains a major public health concern.”
Although their study was not designed to pinpoint a specific reason for this increase, Wadhera and his colleagues highlighted some possible factors.
Climate change is known to increase the risk of both heat and Extreme cold weather eventsFor example, but it is likely that more Americans today are at risk of being left out in the cold than ever before. Especially those with unstable living conditions, Wadhera said.
“For example: We know that the number of refugees in the United States has increased in recent years. This is the population that is most exposed to outside weather conditions. Including the cold weather,” he said.
Homeless levels in the United States have generally increased since 2016 (the early years of the covid-19 pandemic Notable exceptionsThanks in part to the generous relief project) In 2023, chronic homelessness Overtake The record number was set in 2007, when modern data collection efforts began. According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (This year's report is not yet released.) Substance use and social isolation may increase people's risk of exposure to unsafe conditions. Including the temperature.
Some trends emerged in the team's data showing who is most at risk of dying from the common cold. Regional level The death rate is highest in the Midwest. Winters can be especially harsh, for example. The highest death rates among racial and ethnic groups were among Native Americans and Black Americans, respectively, and the highest death rates by age were among people over 75 years of age.
The author said More research is needed to unpack why deaths from the common cold are increasing. at the same time There are various steps. What policymakers can and should do to prevent these tragic losses of life is, for example, ensuring that vulnerable populations live in homes with reliable indoor heating. or extend access to heating centers
“Our findings should raise awareness that injuries and deaths due to exposure to cold weather are possible. This is especially true for the elderly population with more health conditions. Unsheltered people who are most exposed to outside weather conditions and low-income populations who may not have access to adequate food. Indoor heating,” Wadhera said.