1. Childhood Hypothermia and Fuel Poverty in England: a Population Level Study Anna Cronin de Chavez Shona Kelly Bernard Stafford b.stafford@shu.ac.uk

2. Recent Trends in Hospital Admissions for Primary Hypothermia

3. Underlying Economic and Environmental Risk Factors for Primary Hypothermia The relative price of domestic fuel (gas, electricity, solid and liquid fuels) Outdoor winter temperature (mean winter temperature, degrees Celsius, December – February in England)

4. Statistical Associations with Risk Factors: the Results The relative price of domestic fuel is positively associated with hospital admission rates for primary hypothermia in all age groups; but most strongly so for those aged under 5 Also the relative price of domestic fuel is very strongly correlated with the ‘fuel poverty gap’ in England Mean winter temperature is not associated with admission rates in any age group

5. Possible Causes of the Strong Result for the Under 5s The greater vulnerability of the very young to low ambient temperature due to immature or disturbed thermoregulation, thinner skin, and a higher skin surface to body volume ratio Lower incomes in households with under 5 year old dependent children School attendance in the case of the difference relative to the 5-14 age group