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Mortality spike at New Year but not Christmas in North East England

Lookup NU author(s): Emeritus Professor Eugene Milne

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Abstract

Mortality in the USA has been shown to spike on Christmas and New Year's Day. No comparable analyses are available for European data despite recognised seasonal mortality variations. Deaths for 1986-2000 were analysed by date for Newcastle and North Tyneside (NNT) to examine the Christmas period and the weeks surrounding Easter. A spike in mortality attributable to increases in cardiac and respiratory deaths was seen on New Year's Day but not on Christmas Day. No disturbance of trend was seen at Easter. The causes of the 'holiday phenomenon' are not understood, but absence of a Christmas spike in NNT may indicate that it is preventable. © Springer 2005.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Milne EMG

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: European Journal of Epidemiology

Year: 2005

Volume: 20

Issue: 10

Pages: 849-854

ISSN (print): 0393-2990

ISSN (electronic): 1573-7284

Publisher: Springer Netherlands

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10654-005-2147-8

DOI: 10.1007/s10654-005-2147-8

PubMed id: 16283475

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