Hypothermia as a cause of death in British Columbia, 1998-2012: a descriptive assessment.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hypothermia can result from exposure to cold or as a consequence of underlying physiologic vulnerabilities. Who, where, when and how British Columbians (and Canadians) die of hypothermia have received little research attention. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of mortality due to hypothermia among residents of British Columbia.

Methods

We examined all records in the death registry of the British Columbia Vital Statistics Agency between 1998 and 2012 that had an underlying or contributing cause of death coded for hypothermia or exposure to excessive natural cold.

Results

Hypothermia or exposure to excessive natural cold was found to be the underlying or contributing cause in 384 deaths between 1998 and 2012. Mean age of decedents

SUBMITTER: Stares J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4701659 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature