A health expert has issued a vital heatwave warning as new data shows more than 2,000 people died in hot temperatures last summer. TV doctor Hilary Jones was speaking after figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimate there were 2,295 lives lost due to the heat between June and September in 2023. Older people were worst hit by the temperatures with 92 percent of the deaths occurring in those aged over 65.
In all, the deaths equated to 16,239 years of life lost, or 7.7 years for every person aged over 65 estimated to have died. According to the UKHSA, the summer of 2023 was the eighth warmest on record but saw the third highest heat-associated mortality since reports were first published in 2016.
The warning comes as the Met Office is predicting that climate change will increase the number and intensity of heatwaves in the UK going forward. With this in mind, TV personality Doctor Hilary Jones is now encouraging people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe. Backing a new campaign called “Not Just Small Talk” from the organisation Round Our Way , the doctor advised: “We all love the sun but it doesn’t take much for our bodies to overheat, especially now that heatwaves are becoming more common.
“And in extreme cases this can cause heat stroke. Heat stroke is when our body overheats and can’t cool down. It can even be deadly, especially for pregnant women, for children, those over 65 and those with underlying health conditions.
Signs include di.