Cold weather claims 140 lives in Haarlem annually, where the risk is highest

Research by the RIVM indicates that cold weather poses a significant health risk, resulting in approximately 10,000 deaths annually across the Netherlands. In Haarlem, cold-related complications account for about 140 deaths each year, with mortality rates often rising in the weeks following cold periods due to secondary illnesses like the flu. Unlike heatwaves that show immediate effects, the impact of winter cold is delayed and potentially more severe for the local population. Researchers suggest that factors such as energy poverty and poor living conditions, including the presence of mold, exacerbate these health risks. Vulnerable groups, particularly those aged 75 and older living in the Oude Stad area, face a significantly higher mortality risk when temperatures drop below the ideal 17 degrees. Similarly, residents aged 74 and younger in the Europawijk area experience a notable increase in mortality rates during colder spells compared to warmer, more temperate conditions.