During 2015–2017, death rates attributed to excessive cold or hypothermia increased steadily with age among those aged ≥15 years in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties. The rate for persons aged ≥85 years reached 3.8 deaths per 100,000 in metropolitan counties and 7.3 in nonmetropolitan counties. The lowest rates were among those aged 15–24 years (0.2 in metropolitan counties and 0.5 in nonmetropolitan counties). In each age category, death rates were lower in metropolitan counties and higher in nonmetropolitan counties.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality Data 2015–2017.
Footnotes
Crude rate of deaths per 100,000 population; 95% confidence intervals indicated by error bars.
Deaths attributed to excessive cold or hypothermia were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision underlying cause of death code X31 (Exposure to excessive natural cold) or multiple cause-of-death code T68 (Hypothermia).
Urbanization level is based on the Office of Management and Budget’s February 2013 delineation of metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), in which each MSA must have at least one urbanized area of ≥50,000 inhabitants. Areas with <50,000 inhabitants are grouped into the nonmetropolitan category.