(Winter mortality and cold stress in Yekaterinburg, Russia: interview survey)
High excess winter mortality in western Europe could be prevented by people wearing sufficient clothing, engaging in physical activity outdoors and by adequately heating homes , say Keatinge et al in this week's BMJ. In a study of the local population over 50 years of age in Yekaterinburg, Siberia, the authors found that there was no increase in mortality when temperatures fell to 0 C. In associated papers the authors have reported large rapid increases in deaths from coronary thrombosis and more developed respiratory deaths, after falls in temperature in this range in London and other parts of Europe. Keatinge et al conclude that in Yekaterinburg warm clothing and physical activity outdoors and warm housing indorrs prevented both cold stress and increase of mortality in this range.
Contact:
Professor W Keatinge, Emeritus Professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Basic Medical Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London w.r.keatinge@qmw.ac.uk