Opinion: Let's Drop Edmonton's Dubious Title as Frostbite Capital
Severe frostbite injuries are completely preventable. Together, we should strive for a city where no one is left out in the cold.
Alarming Frostbite Statistics in Edmonton
As winter approaches, Edmontonians face a chilling reality: the city leads the world in documented severe frostbite cases. In 2024, reported amputations due to frostbite in Edmonton hit an unprecedented 110 cases. This figure is more than five times higher than the average over the previous decade and three times greater than Calgary’s numbers in the same year.
Factors Behind the Frostbite Spike
- Research indicates that 40% of frostbite cases in Edmonton and Calgary are linked to homelessness.
- Emergency departments report severe frostbite even at temperatures as mild as –5 °C, with 40% of cases occurring above –20 °C.
- A second spike in frostbite occurred when temperatures dropped below –35 °C.
- The rise in cases aligns with increased numbers of people living without shelter or in temporary shelters—2,468 recorded in Edmonton in 2024—and heightened enforcement against homeless encampments.
"Our city leads the world in documented severe frostbite cases."
"Reported amputations due to frostbite reached an all-time high of 110 cases in 2024 in Edmonton."
"Research showed that 40 per cent of all frostbite cases in Edmonton and Calgary were attributable to homelessness."
Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts to protect the vulnerable and implement sustainable solutions during the harsh winter months.
Author's summary: Edmonton faces an urgent need to combat its leading frostbite rates, primarily driven by homelessness, to ensure no resident suffers preventable cold-related injuries.