The world’s longest-running sci-fi series is being called a ‘lifesaver’.
A new study by the University of Birmingham has shown that Christmas-themed episodes of Doctor Who result in a lower death rate in the UK the following year.
Every year the show airs around the festive season – especially on Christmas Day – the mortality rates falls to the tune of “six fewer deaths per 10,000 person years in England and Wales and four fewer deaths per 10,000 person years in the UK”.
When Doctor Who was shown consistently every year between 2005 – 2019, the effect was greater with “an average seven fewer deaths per 10,000 person years in England and Wales and six fewer deaths per 10,000 person years in the UK”.
Richard Riley, Professor of Biostatistics at the University of Birmingham, believes the BBC and Disney+ should reach enlightenment from the study’s findings owing to a possible health benefit of watching Doctor Who, saying:
“Given the study findings, we should be even more grateful to health professionals working this festive season, and to the BBC and Disney+ for broadcasting Doctor Who on Christmas Day.”
