Heatwaves will ‘boost death rate’

The increasing number of deaths caused by heatwaves as the climate changes will not be offset by fewer deaths in milder winters, US research claims.

The study in Occupational and Environmental Medicine said the death rate in 50 US cities rose more sharply in very hot spells than very cold ones.

People had already adapted to the cold with central heating, the study said, but remained unused to intense heat.