Climate change: Hot weather deaths to increase by 250% by 2050

Researchers have warned that the elderly who are living in the South of England and the Midlands will be most at risk.

17:49 04 February 2014

Experts have warned that the UK’s hot weather is going to kill 250% more people by 2050 and that it will put elderly living in the South of England and the Midlands at the highest risk.

A research team from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Public Health England has studied the fluctuations of weather patterns and death rates in the UK between 1993 to 2006. The information they gathered was used to determine the link between temperatures and mortality by age group and region.

The researchers concluded that the changing weather in the United Kingdom will increase the number of deaths across all UK. The current annual figure of 41,000 deaths is expected to increase by 250per cent by 2050.

The report added that individuals aged 85 years and over are at the highest risk of increased mortality as a result of hot temperature.

Talking about the findings, the researchers said: "Future changes in climate are likely to lead not only to an increase in heat-related deaths in the UK, but also to a proportionally smaller decrease in cold-related deaths.

The changing size and age structure of the population will contribute greatly to future burdens."