74 Thousand hospitalizations of elderly due to hypothermia in US, 1991-2006 AREAS OF CONCERN Climate variability has the potential to substantially increase the number and intensity of extreme weather events worldwide. Extreme cold spells are causing hypothermia, a relatively common but preventable condition, resulting in significant morbidity. due to hypothermia and frostbites for elderly in USA between 1991 and 2005 Annual Cost of hospitalizations $71,670,188 35 45 55 65 75 85 95 105 115 125 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 $ Millions COST COST © 2010, Alexander Liss Alexander Liss, Elena N. Naumova. Cold Spells and Hospitalizations due to Hypothermia: Unrecognized Threats for Elderly with Diabetes. Presented at Congress of International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, Barcelona 2011