{"id":10429,"date":"2025-12-29T15:15:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/?p=10429"},"modified":"2025-12-31T21:33:44","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T21:33:44","slug":"death-rates-spike-around-christmas-and-new-year-this-is-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/curiousdrive.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/29\/death-rates-spike-around-christmas-and-new-year-this-is-why\/","title":{"rendered":"Death rates spike around Christmas and New Year \u2014 this is why"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t\t\"Man\t<\/div>
Death rates rise over the winter months (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Over the past week, celebrity deaths seem to have dominated headlines.<\/p>\n

From Brigitte Bardot<\/a> to Chris Rea<\/a>, it may feel like every second notification that pops up on your phone<\/a> right now brings yet another morbid announcement.<\/p>\n

But this isn’t a new phenomenon for 2025, nor is it restricted to famous names; death rates spike across the board around this time of year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to the Office for National Statistics<\/a> (ONS), fatalities peak<\/a> in January and December, with these two months accounting for almost 20% of the annual total.<\/p>\n

The most recent figures<\/a> available show that 1,269 people died each day in September 2016 on average, compared to 1,487 and 1,588 in December and January respectively. All in, there were over 10,000 fewer deaths in September than either of these months.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"I\t<\/div>
It’s important to seek medical advice and mental health support (Picture Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why do death rates rise around Christmas and New Year?<\/h2>\n

While part of the increase in ‘excess mortality’ during winter may be down to colder weather, the ONS claims this is a seasonal issue affecting ‘mainly elderly people and those who already have serious health<\/a> problems.’<\/p>\n

Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor<\/a>, is among the many professionals who witness an ‘observable increase in deaths’ around Christmas and New Year.<\/p>\n

Typically, this is due to cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness such as pneumonia and flu, complications of chronic conditions like COPD and heart failure, and infections.<\/p>\n

Beyond specific causes of death, though, Dr Wylie tells Metro<\/strong> it’s often a case of ‘several risk factors coinciding at once’, adding: ‘Christmas can be a time of joy, but it also highlights existing vulnerabilities, both medical and social, which can sadly contribute to poorer outcomes for some patients.’<\/p>\n

Healthcare access<\/h2>\n

One big issue at play here is a shift in healthcare access and uptake during the festive period. <\/p>\n

‘Healthcare services are under increased pressure<\/a>, with reduced access to routine GP appointments and some community services scaled back, which can delay assessment and treatment,’ says Dr Wylie. <\/p>\n

‘Patients themselves may also be more reluctant to seek medical help over the festive period, not wanting to \u201cmake a fuss\u201d or disrupt family plans.’<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tAverage deaths in England by month from 2014 to 2016\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Age UK assessed the most recent ONS release on registered deaths in England to find average monthly numbers:<\/p>\n