Deaths from excessive heat and excessive cold among the elderly.

This study examines preventable deaths attributed to excessive heat and excessive cold for persons 60 years of age and over for the years 1979-1985. National mortality data are analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple correlations. A strong female bias was found for deaths from excessive heat and a stronger male bias for deaths from excessive cold. Minority elderly and elderly living in rural areas were disproportionately likely to suffer deaths from temperature-related causes.