Excess mortality associated with three Los Angeles September hot spells.
About: This article is published in Environmental Research.The article was published on 1970-11-01. It has received 97 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Poison control & Occupational safety and health.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: This review carried out this review to assess the current epidemiologic evidence available for this purpose and concluded that as the US population becomes more urbanized and the number of elderly people continues to increase, the threat of heat-related mortality will probably become more severe.
Abstract: The effect of elevated temperature on mortality is a public health threat of considerable magnitude. Every year, a large number of hospitalizations and deaths occur in association with exposure to elevated ambient temperatures (1, 2). An average of 400 deaths annually are counted as directly related to heat in the United States, with the highest death rates occurring in persons aged 65 years or more (3). The actual magnitude of heat-related mortality may be notably greater than what has been reported, since we do not have widely accepted criteria for determining heat-related death (4, 5–7), and heat may not be listed on the death certificate as causing or contributing to death. Persons living in urban environments may be at particularly increased risk for mortality from ambient heat exposure, since urban areas typically have higher heat indexes (combinations of temperature and humidity (8)) than surrounding suburban or rural areas, a phenomenon known as the “urban heat island effect” (9). Moreover, urban areas retain heat during the night more efficiently (10). Thus, as the US population becomes more urbanized and the number of elderly people continues to increase (11), the threat of heat-related mortality will probably become more severe. Many of these deaths may be preventable with adequate warning and an appropriate response to heat emergencies, but preventive efforts are complicated by the short time interval that may elapse between high temperature exposure and death. Thus, prevention programs must be based around prospective and rapid identification of high-risk conditions and persons. We carried out this review to assess the current epidemiologic evidence available for this purpose.
1,274 citations
Cites background from "Excess mortality associated with th..."
...Various lag times have been reported for the strongest association of heat with mortality, ranging from the same day (29) to 3 days following a heat wave (50)....
[...]
...Three September heat waves in Los Angeles, California, 1939, 1955, and 1963 (29) Daily temperature ≥100°F; compared with 1947 “normal” temperatures Daily no....
[...]
TL;DR: Higher mortality risk from heat waves that were more intense or longer, or those occurring earlier in summer, is found, and these findings have implications for decision makers and researchers estimating health effects from climate change.
Abstract: BackgroundDevastating health effects from recent heat waves, and projected increases in frequency, duration, and severity of heat waves from climate change, highlight the importance of understandin...
806 citations
TL;DR: While the elderly and people living alone are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, no segment of the population may be considered protected from the risks associated with heat waves and heat waves must be considered as a threat to European populations living in climates that are currently temperate.
Abstract: Objectives: From August 1st to 20th, 2003, the mean maximum temperature in France exceeded the seasonal norm by 11–12°C on nine consecutive days. A major increase in mortality was then observed, which main epidemiological features are described herein. Methods: The number of deaths observed from August to November 2003 in France was compared to those expected on the basis of the mortality rates observed from 2000 to 2002 and the 2003 population estimates. Results: From August 1st to 20th, 2003, 15,000 excess deaths were observed. From 35 years age, the excess mortality was marked and increased with age. It was 15% higher in women than in men of comparable age as of age 45 years. Excess mortality at home and in retirement institutions was greater than that in hospitals. The mortality of widowed, single and divorced subjects was greater than that of married people. Deaths directly related to heat, heatstroke, hyperthermia and dehydration increased massively. Cardiovascular diseases, ill-defined morbid disorders, respiratory diseases and nervous system diseases also markedly contributed to the excess mortality. The geographic variations in mortality showed a clear age-dependent relationship with the number of very hot days. No harvesting effect was observed. Conclusions: Heat waves must be considered as a threat to European populations living in climates that are currently temperate. While the elderly and people living alone are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, no segment of the population may be considered protected from the risks associated with heat waves.
763 citations
Cites result from "Excess mortality associated with th..."
...or apparent temperature and relative humidity (Ellis et al. 1980; Kunst et al. 1993; Oechsli and Buechley 1970)....
[...]
...As was the case in those reported heat waves, the excess mortality observed in France in August 2003 increased with age.(Applegate et al. 1981; Bark 1998; Oechsli and Buechley 1970; Schuman 1972; Whitman et al. 1997)....
[...]
TL;DR: Overall death rates are higher in winter than in summer, and it is possible that milder winters could reduce deaths in winter months, however, the relationship between winter weather and mortality is difficult to interpret.
Abstract: Heat and heat waves are projected to increase in severity and frequency with increasing global mean temperatures. Studies in urban areas show an association between increases in mortality and increases in heat, measured by maximum or minimum temperature, heat index, and sometimes, other weather conditions. Health effects associated with exposure to extreme and prolonged heat appear to be related to environmental temperatures above those to which the population is accustomed. Models of weather-mortality relationships indicate that populations in northeastern and midwestern U.S. cities are likely to experience the greatest number of illnesses and deaths in response to changes in summer temperature. Physiologic and behavioral adaptations may reduce morbidity and mortality. Within heat-sensitive regions, urban populations are the most vulnerable to adverse heat-related health outcomes. The elderly, young children, the poor, and people who are bedridden or are on certain medications are at particular risk. Heat-related illnesses and deaths are largely preventable through behavioral adaptations, including the use of air conditioning and increased fluid intake. Overall death rates are higher in winter than in summer, and it is possible that milder winters could reduce deaths in winter months. However, the relationship between winter weather and mortality is difficult to interpret. Other adaptation measures include heat emergency plans, warning systems, and illness management plans. Research is needed to identify critical weather parameters, the associations between heat and nonfatal illnesses, the evaluation of implemented heat response plans, and the effectiveness of urban design in reducing heat retention.
589 citations
Book•
01 May 1990
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of climate change in vital areas such as water resources, agriculture, sea levels, and forests are addressed, focusing on wetlands, human health, rivers, and lakes.
Abstract: This book addresses the effects of climate change in vital areas such as water resources, agriculture, sea levels, and forests. It also focuses on wetlands, human health, rivers, and lakes. It analyzes policy options for mitigating the effects of global warming-including energy efficiency, alternative technologies, reforestation options, CFC reductions and other options for limiting greenhouse gases. It includes: Global Climate Change, Methodology, California, Great Lakes, Agriculture, Forests, Biological Diversity, Urban Infrastructure, Electricity Demand, and Research Needs.
577 citations
References
More filters
626 citations
81 citations