Cold Kills — New huge US study links colder months to 20 times as many deaths as warmer ones
By Admin
April 12, 2026
4:01 pm
By Joanne Nova
Researchers followed 80% of the US population for two decades, and found that cold temperatures contributed to a whopping 800,000 deaths while hot temperatures were linked to only 2,000.
They were looking at monthly temperature data in 819 locations across the US. Then they checked the cardiovascular death rates and found the burden of excess deaths is “quite substantial”.
During cold periods our blood vessels contract to reduce heat loss, which is why our skin looks slightly bluer or whiter in colder weather. But even a small reduction in volume makes our blood pressure rise. So it is not surprising that colder months are linked to significantly higher death rates from heart attacks, strokes, and coronary artery disease compared to milder periods. As the population ages and kidney disease and diabetes get worse, the deaths will increase.
https://www.climatedepot.com/2026/04/12/cold-kills-new-huge-us-study-links-colder-months-to-20-times-as-many-deaths-as-warmer-ones/