title: The impact of the 2003 heat wave on mortality and hospital admissions in England.
abstract: This article quantifies the impact of the heat wave, 4 to 13 August 2003, on mortality and emergency hospital admissions in England by region and age group. The August 2003 heat wave was associated with a large short-term increase in mortality, particularly in London. Overall in England there were 2,091 (17 per cent) excess deaths. Worst affected were those over the age of 75. The greatest increase of any region in England was in London in the over 75 age group with 522 excess deaths (59 per cent). Excess hospital admissions of 16 per cent were recorded in London for the over 75s. Temperatures in England were unusually hot. Ozone and particulate matter concentrations were also elevated during the heat wave. Estimated excess mortality was greater than for other recent heat waves in the UK.
authors.affiliation: Office for National Statistics.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R Sari
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kovats
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stedman
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: Lois
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*