More Californians are freezing to death. Experts point to more older homeless people

A growing number of people — many of them older and homeless — are freezing to death during winter.

Hypothermia from exposure to cold temperatures was the underlying or contributing cause of death for 166 Californians last year, more than double the number a decade ago, according to provisional death certificate data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The age-adjusted rate of 3.7 deaths per million residents in 2023 was the highest in the state in at least 25 years.

Hypothermia deaths have also increased nationwide, with about 2,520 Americans dying last year, up about 35% from 2014, provisional CDC data shows. It was even worse in 2022: 3,500 hypothermia deaths, many of them during brutal winter storms across much of the country in January and December.

The increase in hypothermia deaths is linked to a rise in homelessness, especially in California, which has the nation’s largest homeless population, experts say.

Homeless people are particularly susceptible to hypothermia because so many older, vulnerable adults live outside, where they are exposed to the elements. Government officials have largely responded to hypothermia deaths by opening warming centers where homeless people can stay on cold nights, but advocates say more permanent housing and more programs that prevent homelessness are needed.

Sitting on a park bench near the state Capitol, Leon Winch said he has trouble staying warm as winter approaches. On cold, rainy nights, he tries to find places to stay dry but covered spots are often patrolled by private security guards who chase him away. Hypothermia often occurs in cold temperatures below 40 degrees but can also occur at warmer temperatures, especially when it’s rainy.