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Ho HC, Lau K, Ren C, Wang D. Systematic identification of heat events associated with emergency admissions to enhance the heat-health action plan in a subtropical city: a data-driven approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:89273-89282. [PMID: 35849238 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21963-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), a heat-health action plan should address various impacts of hazards at different levels, including an early warning system to monitor risks and behaviour enhancement to increase disaster preparedness. It is necessary to comply with guidelines regarding heat duration/intensity. In this study, we developed a data-driven approach to rapidly and systematically estimate the impacts of various heat events on emergency admissions among the adult population (n = 7,086,966) in Hong Kong in order to enhance the heat-health action plan. Immediate, short-term, and long-term impacts determined by 1-day, 4-day, and 8-day windows were estimated to identify specific heat events suitable for early warnings. In addition, underestimated risk, determined by a continuous increase in heat risk after days without significant emergency admissions, was estimated to evaluate potential maladaptive behaviours among a specific subpopulation. Based on age- and gender-specific analyses, 1D, 1D1N, and 2D2N were observed to have a stronger immediate impact on emergency admissions. 1D1N and 2D2N also showed notable short-term and long-term impacts. Based on heat vulnerability factors (age and gender), 2D2N was a higher-priority extreme heat event for early warning measures than 1D1N. Furthermore, men aged 19 to 64 had the highest underestimated risk. Specifically, they had IRR values of 1.113 [1.087, 1.140], 1.061 [1.035, 1.087], and 1.069 [1.043, 1.095] during lag days 3-5 of 3D2N, respectively, possibly due to a lack of adaptive behaviour. By adopting our approach, the duration of heat events with significant health impacts can be identified in order to further enhance relevant heat stress information. This framework can be applied to other cities with a similar background for rapid assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung Chak Ho
- Department of Anaesthesiology, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
- Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Kevin Lau
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Chao Ren
- Division of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Dan Wang
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Canada
- Institute for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Oshawa, Canada
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Dimitriadou L, Nastos P, Eleftheratos K, Kapsomenakis J, Zerefos C. Mortality Related to Air Temperature in European Cities, Based on Threshold Regression Models. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19074017. [PMID: 35409700 PMCID: PMC8997954 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
There is a wealth of scientific literature that scrutinizes the relationship between mortality and temperature. The aim of this paper is to identify the nexus between temperature and three different causes of mortality (i.e., cardiological, respiratory, and cardiorespiratory) for three countries (Scotland, Spain, and Greece) and eleven cities (i.e., Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, Attica, and Thessaloniki), emphasizing the differences among these cities and comparing them to gain a deeper understanding of the relationship. To quantify the association between temperature and mortality, temperature thresholds are defined for each city using a robust statistical analysis, namely threshold regression analysis. In a more detailed perspective, the threshold used is called Minimum Mortality Temperature (MMT), the temperature above or below which mortality is at minimum risk. Afterward, these thresholds are compared based on the geographical coordinates of each city. Our findings show that concerning all-causes of mortality under examination, the cities with higher latitude have lower temperature thresholds compared to the cities with lower latitude. The inclusion of the relationship between mortality and temperature in the array of upcoming climate change implications is critical since future climatic scenarios show an overall increase in the ambient temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lida Dimitriadou
- Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 10680 Athens, Greece; (J.K.); (C.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Panagiotis Nastos
- Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (P.N.); (K.E.)
| | - Kostas Eleftheratos
- Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece; (P.N.); (K.E.)
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - John Kapsomenakis
- Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 10680 Athens, Greece; (J.K.); (C.Z.)
| | - Christos Zerefos
- Research Centre for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology, Academy of Athens, 10680 Athens, Greece; (J.K.); (C.Z.)
- Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Navarino Environmental Observatory (N.E.O.), 24001 Messinia, Greece
- Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Foundation for the Environmental Sciences, 10675 Athens, Greece
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3
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Arifwidodo SD, Chandrasiri O. Urban heat stress and human health in Bangkok, Thailand. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 185:109398. [PMID: 32203732 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress has been recognized as one of the consequences of climate change in urban areas. Its adverse effects on the urban population range from economy, social, environment, and human health. With the increasing urbanization and economic development in cities, heat stress is expected to worsen. This particular study aims to achieve two objectives: (1) to understand the determinants of heat stress, especially the roles of the urban environment in exacerbating the heat stress, and (2) to explore the effects of heat stress to human health using self-reported health assessment. We employed a cross-sectional study using a survey questionnaire from 505 respondents living in the urban area of Bangkok, Thailand. We found that socioeconomic conditions of the individual and urban environment were significant determinants of urban heat stress. Low-income urban populations living in high-density areas with less green open space were more likely to experience heat stress. We also found that heat stress significantly affects human health. Those who reported a higher level of heat stress were more likely to have adverse health and well-being outcomes. The findings suggest that the increased risk of heat stress represents a major problem in the Bangkok, Thailand. It is necessary to address heat stress in adaptation policy and measures at the city levels amid the continued increase of global temperature and climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigit D Arifwidodo
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University, Thailand.
| | - Orana Chandrasiri
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
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Phosri A, Sihabut T, Jaikanlaya C. Short-term effects of diurnal temperature range on hospital admission in Bangkok, Thailand. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 717:137202. [PMID: 32062282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Diurnal temperature range (DTR) is a key indicator reflecting climate stability. Many previous studies have examined the effects of ambient temperature, both hot and cold, on human morbidity and mortality, but few studies have evaluated health effects of DTR, especially those in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate the association between short-term exposure to DTR and hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in Bangkok, Thailand. We obtained daily meteorological variables from the Thai Meteorological Department from January 2006 through December 2014 and daily hospital admissions from the National Health Security Office during the same period. Quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with distributed lag non-linear model was used to examine the association between DTR and cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions controlling for daily average temperature, relative humidity, day of the week, public holiday, and seasonal and long-term trend. A J-shape relationship between DTR and hospital admissions was observed. With 7.8 °C DTR as a reference value, the relative risks for cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admission associated with extremely high DTR (11.6 °C) at cumulative lag 0-21 (21-day cumulative effects) were 1.206 (95% CI: 1.002-1.452) and 1.021 (95% CI: 0.856-1.218), respectively. The effects of extremely high DTR relative to a reference value did not significantly differ between males and females, as well as between young people (<65 years) and the elderly (≥65 years) for both cardiovascular and respiratory admission. When stratifying the effects by season, the effect of extremely high DTR in winter was greater than that in summer and rainy season. This study showed that short-term exposure to extremely high DTR was significantly associated with increased risk of hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in Bangkok, especially during winter. Results from this study could provide important scientific evidence for policy decision making to protect populations from adverse health effects of DTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthit Phosri
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Tanasri Sihabut
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chate Jaikanlaya
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), Bangkok, Thailand
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5
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Cui Y, Ai S, Liu Y, Qian ZM, Wang C, Sun J, Sun X, Zhang S, Syberg KM, Howard S, Qin L, Lin H. Hourly associations between ambient temperature and emergency ambulance calls in one central Chinese city: Call for an immediate emergency plan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 711:135046. [PMID: 31812379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most studies examining the short-term effects of temperature on health were based on the daily scale, few were at the hourly level. Revealing the relationship between unfavorable temperatures on an hourly basis and health is conducive to the development of more accurate extreme temperature early warning systems and reasonable dispatch of ambulances. METHODS Hourly data on temperature, air pollution (including PM2.5, O3, SO2 and NO2) and emergency ambulance calls (EACs) for all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases from January 16, 2014 to December 31, 2016 were obtained from Luoyang, China. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to assess the association between hourly temperature and ambulance calls after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The fractions of EACs attributable to non-optimum temperatures were also estimated. RESULTS Hourly temperature was associated with increased ambulance calls with a varying lag pattern. Extreme hot temperature (>32.1 °C) was positively associated with all-cause, cardiovascular diseases at lag 0-30 h and lag 0-9 h, while no significant effects were found for respiratory morbidity. Extreme cold temperature (<-2.5 °C) was positively associated with all-cause, cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity at lag 56-157 h, 50-145 h and 123-170 h. An overall EACs fraction of 6.84% [Backward estimate, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.01%, 8.59%] could be attributed to non-optimum temperatures, and more contributions were caused by cold [Backward estimate: 6.06% (95% CI: 5.10%, 8.48%)] than by heat [Backward estimate: 0.79% (95% CI: 0.12%, 1.45%)]. CONCLUSIONS Extreme hot temperature may lead to increased ambulance calls within a few hours, while extreme cold temperature may not increase ambulance calls until more than 2 days later. Effective measures, such as forming hourly temperature warning standards, optimizing ambulance services at extreme temperatures, etc., should be taken to reduce the unfavorable temperature - associated EACs burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Cui
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Siqi Ai
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- Department of Cancer Prevention, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengmin Min Qian
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Changke Wang
- National Climate Center, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Sun
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Xiangyan Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kevin M Syberg
- Department of Health Management & Policy, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Steven Howard
- Department of Health Management & Policy, College for Public Health & Social Justice, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lijie Qin
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Hualiang Lin
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Runkle JD, Cui C, Fuhrmann C, Stevens S, Del Pinal J, Sugg MM. Evaluation of wearable sensors for physiologic monitoring of individually experienced temperatures in outdoor workers in southeastern U.S. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2019; 129:229-238. [PMID: 31146157 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Climate-related increases in global mean temperature and the intensification of heat waves present a significant threat to outdoor workers. Limited research has been completed to assess the potential differences in heat exposures that exist between individuals within similar microenvironments. Yet, there is a paucity of individual data characterizing patterns of individually experienced temperatures in workers and the associated physiologic heat strain response. The objective of this study was to apply a wearable sensor-based approach to examine the occupational, environmental, and behavioral factors that contribute to individual-level variations in heat strain in grounds maintenance workers. Outdoor workers from three diverse climatic locations in the southeastern United States - high temperature, high temperature + high humidity, and moderate temperature environments - participated in personal heat exposure monitoring during a 5-day work period in the summer. We performed Cox proportional hazards modeling to estimate associations between multiple heat strain events per worker and changes in individually experienced temperatures. Heat strain risk was higher among workers with a place to cool-off, higher education, and who worked in hotter temperatures. A mismatch was observed between workers' perceptions of heat strain and actual heat strain prevalence across exposure groups. We also used a quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag non-linear function to estimate the non-linear and lag effects of individually experienced temperatures on risk of heat strain. The association between increasing temperature and heat strain was nonlinear and exhibited an U-shaped relationship. Heat strain was less common during issued heat warnings demonstrating behavioral adaptive actions taken by workers. This study is one of the first temperature monitoring studies to quantify the individual-level exposure-response function in this vulnerable population and highlights the elevated risk of heat strain both immediately and several days after worker exposure to high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Runkle
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, United States of America.
| | - Can Cui
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, United States of America
| | - Chris Fuhrmann
- Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University, 208 Hilbun Hall, MS 39762, United States of America
| | - Scott Stevens
- North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University, 151 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801, United States of America
| | - Jeff Del Pinal
- Grounds and Building Services, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 7516, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Margaret M Sugg
- Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, P.O. Box 32066, Boone, NC 28608, United States of America
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Li G, Li Y, Tian L, Guo Q, Pan X. Future temperature-related years of life lost projections for cardiovascular disease in Tianjin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 630:943-950. [PMID: 29499549 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that temperatures is associated with cardiovascular mortality, however, few studies have explored the effects of temperature on years of life lost (YLL) from cardiovascular mortality in China under future global warming scenarios. Therefore, there is an urgent need to obtain projections of YLL from cardiovascular diseases. Here we applied nineteen global-scale climate models (GCMs) and three Representative Concentration Pathway emission scenarios (RCPs) in the 2050s and 2070s for temperature-related YLL projection in Tianjin, China. We found the relationships between daily maximum temperatures with YLL from cardiovascular mortality were basically U-shaped. We observed increasing net annual YLL across a range of multiple models under different climate scenarios, suggesting that increasing heat-related YLL from cardiovascular mortality could offset decreasing cold-related YLL from cardiovascular mortality. The largest temperature-related YLL from cardiovascular mortality were observed under the RCP8.5 scenario and increased more rapidly in the 2070s versus the 2050s. Monthly analyses of percent changes in YLL from cardiovascular mortality showed that the largest percent increases occurred from May to September. If warm adaptation occurs, only the adverse effects under RCP2.6 could be fully offset in both 2050 and 2070. Our exploration provided further evidence for the potential health impacts of global warming and highlighted that government should develop environmental policies for future health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxing Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yixue Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qun Guo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiaochuan Pan
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, Peking University School of Public Health, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
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Kaluzna-Oleksy M, Aunan K, Rao-Skirbekk S, Kjellstrom T, Ezekowitz JA, Agewall S, Atar D. Impact of climate and air pollution on acute coronary syndromes: an update from the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2017. SCAND CARDIOVASC J 2017; 52:1-3. [PMID: 29202608 DOI: 10.1080/14017431.2017.1405069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kaluzna-Oleksy
- a 1st Department of Cardiology , University of Medical Sciences in Poznan , Poznan , Poland
| | - Kristin Aunan
- b Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO), Blindern , Oslo , Norway
| | - Shilpa Rao-Skirbekk
- c Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Air Pollution and Noise , Norwegian Institute of Public Health , Oslo , Norway
| | - Tord Kjellstrom
- d Australian National University , Canberra , Australia.,e Ruby Coast Research Centre team , Health and Environment, International Trust , Mapua , New Zealand.,f Centre for Technological Research and Innovation (CETRI) , Limassol , Cyprus
| | - Justin A Ezekowitz
- g Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine , University of Alberta , Edmonton , AB , Canada.,h Canadian VIGOUR Centre, University of Alberta , Edmonton , AB , Canada
| | - Stefan Agewall
- i Department of Cardiology B , Norway and Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
| | - Dan Atar
- i Department of Cardiology B , Norway and Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway
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Sanderson M, Arbuthnott K, Kovats S, Hajat S, Falloon P. The use of climate information to estimate future mortality from high ambient temperature: A systematic literature review. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0180369. [PMID: 28686743 PMCID: PMC5501532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Heat related mortality is of great concern for public health, and estimates of future mortality under a warming climate are important for planning of resources and possible adaptation measures. Papers providing projections of future heat-related mortality were critically reviewed with a focus on the use of climate model data. Some best practice guidelines are proposed for future research. METHODS The electronic databases Web of Science and PubMed/Medline were searched for papers containing a quantitative estimate of future heat-related mortality. The search was limited to papers published in English in peer-reviewed journals up to the end of March 2017. Reference lists of relevant papers and the citing literature were also examined. The wide range of locations studied and climate data used prevented a meta-analysis. RESULTS A total of 608 articles were identified after removal of duplicate entries, of which 63 were found to contain a quantitative estimate of future mortality from hot days or heat waves. A wide range of mortality models and climate model data have been used to estimate future mortality. Temperatures in the climate simulations used in these studies were projected to increase. Consequently, all the papers indicated that mortality from high temperatures would increase under a warming climate. The spread in projections of future climate by models adds substantial uncertainty to estimates of future heat-related mortality. However, many studies either did not consider this source of uncertainty, or only used results from a small number of climate models. Other studies showed that uncertainty from changes in populations and demographics, and the methods for adaptation to warmer temperatures were at least as important as climate model uncertainty. Some inconsistencies in the use of climate data (for example, using global mean temperature changes instead of changes for specific locations) and interpretation of the effects on mortality were apparent. Some factors which have not been considered when estimating future mortality are summarised. CONCLUSIONS Most studies have used climate data generated using scenarios with medium and high emissions of greenhouse gases. More estimates of future mortality using climate information from the mitigation scenario RCP2.6 are needed, as this scenario is the only one under which the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 2°C or less could be realised. Many of the methods used to combine modelled data with local climate observations are simplistic. Quantile-based methods might offer an improved approach, especially for temperatures at the ends of the distributions. The modelling of adaptation to warmer temperatures in mortality models is generally arbitrary and simplistic, and more research is needed to better quantify adaptation. Only a small number of studies included possible changes in population and demographics in their estimates of future mortality, meaning many estimates of mortality could be biased low. Uncertainty originating from establishing a mortality baseline, climate projections, adaptation and population changes is important and should be considered when estimating future mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine Arbuthnott
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Sari Kovats
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Huynen MMTE, Martens P. Climate Change Effects on Heat- and Cold-Related Mortality in the Netherlands: A Scenario-Based Integrated Environmental Health Impact Assessment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:13295-320. [PMID: 26512680 PMCID: PMC4627032 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121013295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Although people will most likely adjust to warmer temperatures, it is still difficult to assess what this adaptation will look like. This scenario-based integrated health impacts assessment explores baseline (1981–2010) and future (2050) population attributable fractions (PAF) of mortality due to heat (PAFheat) and cold (PAFcold), by combining observed temperature–mortality relationships with the Dutch KNMI’14 climate scenarios and three adaptation scenarios. The 2050 model results without adaptation reveal a decrease in PAFcold (8.90% at baseline; 6.56%–7.85% in 2050) that outweighs the increase in PAFheat (1.15% at baseline; 1.66%–2.52% in 2050). When the 2050 model runs applying the different adaptation scenarios are considered as well, however, the PAFheat ranges between 0.94% and 2.52% and the PAFcold between 6.56% and 9.85%. Hence, PAFheat and PAFcold can decrease as well as increase in view of climate change (depending on the adaptation scenario). The associated annual mortality burdens in 2050—accounting for both the increasing temperatures and mortality trend—show that heat-related deaths will range between 1879 and 5061 (1511 at baseline) and cold-related deaths between 13,149 and 19,753 (11,727 at baseline). Our results clearly illustrate that model outcomes are not only highly dependent on climate scenarios, but also on adaptation assumptions. Hence, a better understanding of (the impact of various) plausible adaptation scenarios is required to advance future integrated health impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud M T E Huynen
- International Centre for Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200-MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Pim Martens
- International Centre for Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200-MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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12
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Maia PA, Ruas ÁC, Bitencourt DP. Wet-bulb globe temperature index estimation using meteorological data from São Paulo State, Brazil. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2015; 59:1395-1403. [PMID: 25634645 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0949-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that excessive heat exposure causes heat disorders and can lead to death in some situations. Evaluation of heat stress on workers performing indoor and outdoor activities is, nowadays, conducted worldwide by wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, which calculation parameters are dry-bulb, natural wet-bulb, and globe temperatures, which must be measured at the same time and in location where the worker is conducting his/her activities. However, for some activities performed in large outdoor areas such as those of agricultural ones, it is not feasible to measure directly those temperatures in all work periods and locations where there are workers. Taking this into account, this work aims to introduce a WBGT index estimation using atmospheric variables observed by automatic meteorological stations. In order to support our estimation method, we used, as a test-bed, data recorded in the State of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. By adding the cloudiness factor in the calculation through measurement of solar radiation, the algorithm proved to be as efficient as those mentioned in this work. It was found that this method is viable, with WBGT-estimated values obtained from meteorological data measured by stations with a distance of less than 80 km. This estimate can be used for monitoring heat stress in real time as well as to investigate heat-related disorders and agricultural work.
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Petrou I, Dimitriou K, Kassomenos P. Distinct atmospheric patterns and associations with acute heat-induced mortality in five regions of England. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2015; 59:1413-1424. [PMID: 25605407 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0951-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 11/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this paper was to identify possible acute heat-induced summer mortality in five regions of England namely the Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, North East, North West and South East regions and reveal associations with specific air flows. For this purpose, backward air mass trajectories corresponding to daily episodes of increased temperatures were produced and divided to clusters, in order to define atmospheric pathways associated with warm air mass intrusions. A statistically significant at 95 % confidence interval increase in daily total mortality (DTMORT) was observed during the selected episodes at all five regions and thus, heat-induced mortality was indicated. The calculated raise was more intense in the West Midlands, North West and South East regions, whereas the results in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber regions were less evident. Large fractions of thermal episodes, elevated average temperature values and higher average DTMORT levels were primarily associated with the short-medium range South West (SW) and/or East-South East (E-SE) trajectory clusters, suggesting relations among heat-induced mortality and specific atmospheric circulations. Short-medium length of SW and E-SE airflows, calculated by an application of Haversine formula along the centroid trajectory of each cluster, implies the arrival of slow moving air masses. Atmospheric stagnation could enhance human thermal stress due to low wind speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Petrou
- Laboratory of Meteorology, Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, 45 110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Dimitriou
- Laboratory of Meteorology, Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, 45 110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Pavlos Kassomenos
- Laboratory of Meteorology, Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, 45 110, Ioannina, Greece
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Lian H, Ruan Y, Liang R, Liu X, Fan Z. Short-Term Effect of Ambient Temperature and the Risk of Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:9068-88. [PMID: 26264018 PMCID: PMC4555265 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120809068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The relationship between stroke and short-term temperature changes remains controversial. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between stroke and both high and low temperatures, and health assessment. METHODS We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Data up to 14 September 2014. Study selection, quality assessment, and author-contractions were steps before data extraction. We converted all estimates effects into relative risk (RR) per 1 °C increase/decrease in temperature from 75th to 99th or 25th to 1st percentiles, then conducted meta-analyses to combine the ultimate RRs, and assessed health impact among the population. RESULTS 20 articles were included in the final analysis. The overall analysis showed a positive relationship between 1 °C change and the occurrence of major adverse cerebrovascular events (MACBE), 1.1% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.6 to 1.7) and 1.2% (95% CI, 0.8 to 1.6) increase for hot and cold effects separately. The same trends can be found in both effects of mortality and the cold effect for morbidity. Hot temperature acted as a protective factor of hemorrhage stroke (HS), -1.9% (95% CI, -2.8 to -0.9), however, it acted as a risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS), 1.2% (95% CI, 0.7 to 1.8). CONCLUSION Short-term changes of both low and high temperature had statistically significant impacts on MACBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Lian
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Yanping Ruan
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Ruijuan Liang
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Xiaole Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
| | - Zhongjie Fan
- Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have examined the effects of temperature on mortality in a single city, country, or region. However, less evidence is available on the variation in the associations between temperature and mortality in multiple countries, analyzed simultaneously. METHODS We obtained daily data on temperature and mortality in 306 communities from 12 countries/regions (Australia, Brazil, Thailand, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada). Two-stage analyses were used to assess the nonlinear and delayed relation between temperature and mortality. In the first stage, a Poisson regression allowing overdispersion with distributed lag nonlinear model was used to estimate the community-specific temperature-mortality relation. In the second stage, a multivariate meta-analysis was used to pool the nonlinear and delayed effects of ambient temperature at the national level, in each country. RESULTS The temperatures associated with the lowest mortality were around the 75th percentile of temperature in all the countries/regions, ranging from 66th (Taiwan) to 80th (UK) percentiles. The estimated effects of cold and hot temperatures on mortality varied by community and country. Meta-analysis results show that both cold and hot temperatures increased the risk of mortality in all the countries/regions. Cold effects were delayed and lasted for many days, whereas heat effects appeared quickly and did not last long. CONCLUSIONS People have some ability to adapt to their local climate type, but both cold and hot temperatures are still associated with increased risk of mortality. Public health strategies to alleviate the impact of ambient temperatures are important, in particular in the context of climate change.
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De Blois J, Kjellstrom T, Agewall S, Ezekowitz JA, Armstrong PW, Atar D. The Effects of Climate Change on Cardiac Health. Cardiology 2015; 131:209-17. [DOI: 10.1159/000398787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The earth's climate is changing and increasing ambient heat levels are emerging in large areas of the world. An important cause of this change is the anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases. Climate changes have a variety of negative effects on health, including cardiac health. People with pre-existing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease (including heart failure), people carrying out physically demanding work and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. This review evaluates the evidence base for the cardiac health consequences of climate conditions, with particular reference to increasing heat exposure, and it also explores the potential further implications.
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McIver L, Woodward A, Davies S, Tibwe T, Iddings S. Assessment of the health impacts of climate change in Kiribati. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:5224-40. [PMID: 24830452 PMCID: PMC4053873 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110505224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Kiribati-a low-lying, resource-poor Pacific atoll nation-is one of the most vulnerable countries in the World to the impacts of climate change, including the likely detrimental effects on human health. We describe the preparation of a climate change and health adaptation plan for Kiribati carried out by the World Health Organization and the Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Services, including an assessment of risks to health, sources of vulnerability and suggestions for highest priority adaptation responses. This paper identifies advantages and disadvantages in the process that was followed, lays out a future direction of climate change and health adaptation work in Kiribati, and proposes lessons that may be applicable to other small, developing island nations as they prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change on health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan McIver
- Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
| | - Alistair Woodward
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Seren Davies
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Bikenibau, Republic of Kiribati.
| | - Tebikau Tibwe
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Bikenibau, Republic of Kiribati.
| | - Steven Iddings
- Division of Pacific Technical Support, World Health Organization, Suva, Fiji.
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Gosling SN. New insights into biometeorology. Foreword. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2014; 58:101-102. [PMID: 24464497 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0793-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon N Gosling
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK,
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Tawatsupa B, Yiengprugsawan V, Kjellstrom T, Seubsman SA, Sleigh A. Heat stress, health and well-being: findings from a large national cohort of Thai adults. BMJ Open 2012; 2:e001396. [PMID: 23135538 PMCID: PMC3532977 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine the association between self-reported heat stress interference with daily activities (sleeping, work, travel, housework and exercise) and three graded-holistic health and well-being outcomes (energy, emotions and life satisfaction). DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING The setting is tropical and developing countries as Thailand, where high temperature and high humidity are common, particularly during the hottest seasons. PARTICIPANTS This study is based on an ongoing national Thai Cohort Study of distance-learning open-university adult students (N=60 569) established in 2005 to study the health-risk transition. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Health impacts from heat stress in our study are categorised as physical health impacts (energy levels), mental health impacts (emotions) and well-being (life satisfaction). For each health and well-being outcome we report ORs and 95% CIs using multinomial logistic regression adjusting for a wide array of potential confounders. RESULTS Negative health and well-being outcomes (low-energy level, emotional problems and low life satisfaction) associated with increasing frequency of heat stress interfering with daily activities. Adjusted ORs for emotional problems were between 1.5 and 4.8 and in general worse than energy level (between 1.31 and 2.91) and life satisfaction (between 1.10 and 2.49). The worst health outcomes were when heat interfered with sleeping, followed by interference with daily travel, work, housework and exercise. CONCLUSIONS In tropical Thailand there already are substantial heat stress impacts on health and well-being. Increasing temperatures from climate change plus the ageing and urbanisation of the population could significantly worsen the situation. There is a need to improve public health surveillance and public awareness regarding the risks of heat stress in daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjawan Tawatsupa
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Health Impact Assessment Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Tord Kjellstrom
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Sam-ang Seubsman
- School of Human Ecology, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Adrian Sleigh
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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