February 20, 2024

Excess deaths – a new methodology and better understanding

During and since the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve generally seen more people die than we’d expect. Different organisations have used different ways to calculate excess deaths – each with merit and particular uses, for example for planning health interventions and identifying emerging threats.

In the spirit of continuous improvement, the Office for National Statistics has been working with independent experts, and those across government and the devolved nations, to lead the development of a new, common UK-wide approach.

To coincide with the launch of the new methodology, the Science Media Centre and ONS is running a briefing on the new approach and how best to interpret the new numbers. 

The new methodology was published online at 9.30am and science and health reporters were invited to join us at 1.30 to get a full explanation of the new approach and have the chance to ask questions. 

Speakers included:

Daniel Ayoubkhani, Principal Statistician Health

Vahé Nafilyan, Head of Health Modelling Hub

Julie Stanborough, Deputy Director Data & Analysis for Social Care & Health

Stuart McDonald, Head of Longevity and Demographic Insights at LCP

This briefing was accompanied by an SMC Roundup of comments.