DEATHS FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT AND EXCESSIVE COLD AMONG THE ELDERLY

This study examines preventable deaths attributed to excessive heat an d excessive cold for persons 60 years of age and over for the years 19 79-1985. National mortality data are analyzed using descriptive statis tics and simple correlations. A strong female bias was found for death s from excessive heat and a stronger male bias for deaths from excessi ve cold. Minority elderly and elderly living in rural areas were dispr oportionately likely to suffer deaths from temperature-related causes.