This groups is for those concerned with excess winter deaths and the right to warmth. Please join this group to register your interest in the issue be it from a research or practitioner perspective.

We have created this group to allow those working around the issue of winter deaths to share work, best practice and resources. We would encourage people post their resources in the resource section and use the site to promote their own activity.

The issue of winter warmth is important to the health of the North East for a number of reasons:

• Excess winter deaths in England are particularly high in comparison to other countries in Europe that have much colder winters 1.
• An analysis of the average ONS mortality rates from 2005/06 to 2007/08 data shows that the North East region has the forth highest winter mortality rate in England and Wales 2.
• Adverse effects on health caused by cold include: increased risk of Stroke, heart attack and respiratory disease; increased risk of non intentional injury and poor mental health 3.
• In addition government policy consistently focuses on issues related to winter Warmth such as life expectancy in Tackling Health Inequalities: A Programme for Action 4.

1. County Durham and Tees Valley Public Health Network. (2005) Cold Kills. Stockton on Tees: Falcon Press
2. The Poverty Site. (2009) Excess winter deaths.
3. South West Public Health Observatory. (2008) Fighting Winter Cold in the South West.
4. Department of Health. (2003) Tackling Health Inequalities A Programme for Action.