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Wang L, Liu J, Yin P, Gao Y, Jiang Y, Kan H, Zhou M, Ao H, Chen R. Mortality risk and burden of sudden cardiac arrest associated with hot nights, heatwaves, cold spells, and non-optimum temperatures in 0.88 million patients: An individual-level case-crossover study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:175208. [PMID: 39097015 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175208] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a global health concern, imposing a substantial mortality burden. However, the understanding of the impact of various extreme temperature events, when accounting for the effect of daily average temperature on SCA, remains incomplete. Additionally, the assessment of SCA mortality burden associated with temperatures from an individual-level design is limited. This nationwide case-crossover study collected individual SCA death records across all (2844) county-level administrative units in the Chinese Mainland from 2013 to 2019. Four definitions for hot nights and ten for both cold spells and heatwaves were established using various temperature thresholds and durations. Conditional logistic regression models combined with distributed lag nonlinear models were employed to estimate the cumulative exposure-response relationships. Based on 887,662 SCA decedents, this analysis found that both hot nights [odds ratio (OR): 1.28; attributable fraction (AF): 1.32 %] and heatwaves (OR: 1.40; AF: 1.29 %) exhibited significant added effects on SCA mortality independent of daily average temperatures, while cold spells were not associated with an elevated SCA risk after accounting for effects of temperatures. Cold temperatures [below the minimum mortality temperature (MMT)] accounted for a larger mortality burden than high temperatures (above the MMT) [AF: 12.2 % vs. 1.5 %]. Higher temperature-related mortality risks and burdens were observed in patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to those with in-hospital cardiac arrest. This nationwide study presents the most compelling and comprehensive evidence of the elevated mortality risk and burden of SCA associated with extreme temperature events and ambient temperatures amid global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Wang
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangdong Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Yin
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yixuan Jiang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maigeng Zhou
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hushan Ao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fuwai Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, National Center of Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Renjie Chen
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Lai H, Lee JE, Harrington LJ, Ahuriri-Driscoll A, Newport C, Bolton A, Salter C, Morton S, Woodward A, Hales S. Daily Temperatures and Child Hospital Admissions in Aotearoa New Zealand: Case Time Series Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:1236. [PMID: 39338120 PMCID: PMC11432253 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21091236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
The influence of global climate change on temperature-related health outcomes among vulnerable populations, particularly young children, is underexplored. Using a case time series design, we analysed 647,000 hospital admissions of children aged under five years old in New Zealand, born between 2000 and 2019. We explored the relationship between daily maximum temperatures and hospital admissions across 2139 statistical areas. We used quasi-Poisson distributed lag non-linear models to account for the delayed effects of temperature over a 0-21-day window. We identified broad ICD code categories associated with heat before combining these for the main analyses. We conducted stratified analyses by ethnicity, sex, and residency, and tested for interactions with long-term temperature, socioeconomic position, and housing tenure. We found J-shaped temperature-response curves with increased risks of hospital admission above 24.1 °C, with greater sensitivity among Māori, Pacific, and Asian compared to European children. Spatial-temporal analysis from 2013-2019 showed rising attributable fractions (AFs) of admissions associated with increasing temperatures, especially in eastern coastal and densely populated areas. Interactive maps were created to allow policymakers to prioritise interventions. Findings emphasize the need for child-specific and location-specific climate change adaptation policies, particularly for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hakkan Lai
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Jeong Eun Lee
- Department of Statistics, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand;
| | - Luke J. Harrington
- Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand
| | - Annabel Ahuriri-Driscoll
- Te Kura Mātai Hauora School of Health Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand;
| | - Christina Newport
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Annette Bolton
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; (A.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Claire Salter
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand; (A.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Susan Morton
- Research Institute for Innovative Solutions for Well-being and Health (INSIGHT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia;
| | - Alistair Woodward
- Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand;
| | - Simon Hales
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
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Boura D, Spanakis M, Markakis G, Notas G, Lionis C, Tzanakis N, Paraskakis E. Exploring the Relationship between Wind Patterns and Hospital Admissions Due to Respiratory Symptoms in Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:717. [PMID: 38929296 PMCID: PMC11201383 DOI: 10.3390/children11060717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory disorders significantly impact adolescents' health, often resulting in hospital admissions. Meteorological elements such as wind patterns have emerged as potential contributors to respiratory symptoms. However, it remains uncertain whether fluctuations in wind characteristics over extended periods have a tangible impact on respiratory health, particularly in regions characterized by distinct annual wind patterns. Crete is situated in the central-eastern Mediterranean Sea and frequently faces southerly winds carrying Sahara Desert sand from Africa and northerly winds from the Aegean Sea. This retrospective study analyzes long-term wind direction data and their relationship to respiratory symptoms observed in children up to 14 years old admitted at the University Hospital of Heraklion between 2002 and 2010. Symptoms such as headache, dyspnea, dry cough, dizziness, tachypnea, throat ache, and earache were predominantly reported during the presence of southern winds. Fever, productive cough, and chest pain were more frequently reported during northern winds. Cough was the most common symptom regardless of the wind pattern. Southern winds were significantly associated with higher probabilities of productive or non-productive cough, headache, dyspnea, tachypnea, dizziness, earache, and throat ache. Northern winds were related to a higher incidence of productive cough. Rhinitis, asthma, allergies, pharyngitis, and sinusitis were related to southern winds, while bronchiolitis and pneumonia were associated with northern winds. These findings underscore the critical role of local climatic factors, emphasizing their potential impact on exacerbating respiratory conditions in children. Moreover, they point out the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted interventions for at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despoina Boura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (D.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Marios Spanakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
- Computational Bio-Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research & Technology–Hellas, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
| | - George Markakis
- Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71004 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - George Notas
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Christos Lionis
- Clinic of Social and Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece;
| | - Nikolaos Tzanakis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece; (D.B.); (N.T.)
| | - Emmanouil Paraskakis
- Paediatric Respiratory Unit, Paediatric Department, University of Crete, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
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Gao Y, Lin L, Yin P, Kan H, Chen R, Zhou M. Heat Exposure and Dementia-Related Mortality in China. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2419250. [PMID: 38941091 PMCID: PMC11214125 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Although existing research has found daily heat to be associated with dementia-related outcomes, there is still a gap in understanding the differing associations of nighttime and daytime heat with dementia-related deaths. Objectives To quantitatively assess the risk and burden of dementia-related deaths associated with short-term nighttime and daytime heat exposure and identify potential effect modifications. Design, Setting, and Participants This case-crossover study analyzed individual death records for dementia across all mainland China counties from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019, using a time-stratified case-crossover approach. Statistical analysis was conducted from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2019. Exposures Two novel heat metrics: hot night excess (HNE) and hot day excess (HDE), representing nighttime and daytime heat intensity, respectively. Main Outcomes and Measures Main outcomes were the relative risk and burden of dementia-related deaths associated with HNE and HDE under different definitions. Analysis was conducted with conditional logistic regression integrated with the distributed lag nonlinear model. Results The study involved 132 573 dementia-related deaths (mean [SD] age, 82.5 [22.5] years; 73 086 women [55.1%]). For a 95% threshold, the median hot night threshold was 24.5 °C (IQR, 20.1 °C-26.2 °C) with an HNE of 3.7 °C (IQR, 3.1 °C-4.3 °C), and the median hot day threshold was 33.3 °C (IQR, 29.9 °C-34.7 °C) with an HDE of 0.6 °C (IQR, 0.5 °C-0.8 °C). Both nighttime and daytime heat were associated with increased risk of dementia-related deaths. Hot nights' associations with risk of dementia-related deaths persisted for 6 days, while hot days' associations with risk of dementia-related deaths extended over 10 days. Extreme HDE had a higher relative risk of dementia-related deaths, with a greater burden associated with extreme HNE at more stringent thresholds. At a 97.5% threshold, the odds ratio for dementia-related deaths was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.22-1.55) for extreme HNE and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.27-1.68) for extreme HDE, with an attributable fraction of 1.45% (95% empirical confidence interval [95% eCI], 1.43%-1.47%) for extreme HNE and 1.10% (95% eCI, 1.08%-1.11%) for extreme HDE. Subgroup analyses suggested heightened susceptibility among females, individuals older than 75 years of age, and those with lower educational levels. Regional disparities were observed, with individuals in the south exhibiting greater sensitivity to nighttime heat and those in the north to daytime heat. Conclusions and Relevance Results of this nationwide case-crossover study suggest that both nighttime and daytime heat are associated with increased risk of dementia-related deaths, with a greater burden associated with nighttime heat. These findings underscore the necessity of time-specific interventions to mitigate extreme heat risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Gao
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Lin
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Yin
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renjie Chen
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Maigeng Zhou
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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Teyton A, Ndovu A, Baer RJ, Bandoli G, Benmarhnia T. Disparities in the impact of heat wave definitions on emergency department visits during the first year of life among preterm and full-term infants in California. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118299. [PMID: 38272297 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118299] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Heat waves will be aggravated due to climate change, making this a critical public health threat. However, heat wave definitions to activate alert systems can be ambiguous, highlighting the need to assess a range of definitions to identify those that contribute to the most adverse health outcomes. Additionally, children are highly susceptible to the impacts of heat waves, especially infants, despite the lack of focus on this subpopulation. We aimed to assess the relationship between 30 heat wave definitions and the first all-cause emergency department (ED) visits for California infants. We also examined modification of this relationship by preterm birth status and demographic characteristics to identify possible health disparities. METHODS Live-born, singleton deliveries from the Study of Outcomes in Mothers and Infants born in 2014-2018 were included. Thirty heat wave definitions were assessed based on temperature metrics (minimum/maximum temperatures), thresholds (90th; 92.5th; 95th; 97.5th; 99th percentiles), and duration (1-; 2-; 3-days). A time-stratified case-crossover design assessed heat wave impacts on ED visits using infants with a warm season ED visit (May-October) within the first year of life (n = 228,250). Effect modification by preterm birth status, age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and delivery payment type was also investigated. RESULTS Infants demonstrated increased risk of an ED visit with exposure to all heat definitions. The 3-day minimum temperature 99th percentile definition had the highest adjusted odds ratio (AOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05-1.23) for the total population. Term infants were more affected by some heat waves than preterm infants. Effect modification was additionally identified, such as by maternal education. DISCUSSION This study provides insight on the heat wave definitions that lead to adverse health outcomes and the identification of the most susceptible infants to these impacts, which has implications on heat-related interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Teyton
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA; Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 8885, Biological Grade, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
| | - Allan Ndovu
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, 533 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Rebecca J Baer
- California Preterm Birth Initiative, University of California, San Francisco, 490 Illinois Street, Flr. 9 Box 2930, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Gretchen Bandoli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tarik Benmarhnia
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, 8885, Biological Grade, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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Weeda LJZ, Bradshaw CJA, Judge MA, Saraswati CM, Le Souëf PN. How climate change degrades child health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:170944. [PMID: 38360325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170944] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are more vulnerable than adults to climate-related health threats, but reviews examining how climate change affects human health have been mainly descriptive and lack an assessment of the magnitude of health effects children face. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis that identifies which climate-health relationships pose the greatest threats to children. OBJECTIVES We reviewed epidemiologic studies to analyse various child health outcomes due to climate change and identify the relationships with the largest effect size. We identify population-specific risks and provide recommendations for future research. METHODS We searched four large online databases for observational studies published up to 5 January 2023 following PRISMA (systematic review) guidelines. We evaluated each included study individually and aggregated relevant quantitative data. We used quantitative data in our meta-analysis, where we standardised effect sizes and compared them among different groupings of climate variables and health outcomes. RESULTS Of 1301 articles we identified, 163 studies were eligible for analysis. We identified many relationships between climate change and child health, the strongest of which was increasing risk (60 % on average) of preterm birth from exposure to temperature extremes. Respiratory disease, mortality, and morbidity, among others, were also influenced by climate changes. The effects of different air pollutants on health outcomes were considerably smaller compared to temperature effects, but with most (16/20 = 80 %) pollutant studies indicating at least a weak effect. Most studies occurred in high-income regions, but we found no geographical clustering according to health outcome, climate variable, or magnitude of risk. The following factors were protective of climate-related child-health threats: (i) economic stability and strength, (ii) access to quality healthcare, (iii) adequate infrastructure, and (iv) food security. Threats to these services vary by local geographical, climate, and socio-economic conditions. Children will have increased prevalence of disease due to anthropogenic climate change, and our quantification of the impact of various aspects of climate change on child health can contribute to the planning of mitigation that will improve the health of current and future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis J Z Weeda
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Corey J A Bradshaw
- Global Ecology | Partuyarta Ngadluku Wardli Kuu, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, EpicAustralia.org.au, Australia
| | - Melinda A Judge
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | | | - Peter N Le Souëf
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Tran NQL, Nguyen TTV, Chu C, Phung H, Nghiem S, Phung D. Ambient Temperature Effects on Hospitalization Risk Among Farmers: A Time-Series Study on Multiple Diseases in Vietnam. J Occup Environ Med 2024; 66:321-328. [PMID: 38234216 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to assess the effect of high temperatures on hospitalization for all causes and heat-sensitive diseases among Vietnamese farmers. METHODS The Poisson generalized linear model and distributed lag nonlinear model were used to investigate the temperature-hospitalization association for all causes and seven cause-specific disease groups. RESULTS Every 1°C increase in daily mean temperature above the threshold increased the estimated relative risk (95% CI) of all-cause hospitalization by 1.022 (0.998-1.047) at the country level, 1.047 (1.007-1.089) in the south, and 0.982 (0.958-1.006) in the north. Infectious disease hospitalization was most affected by high temperatures (1.098 [1.057-1.140]). High temperatures significantly increased the risk of all-cause hospitalization for farmers 60 years and younger in three of the six provinces. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasized the need for health promotion programs to prevent heat-related health issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nu Quy Linh Tran
- From the Center for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia (N.Q.L.T., C.C., H.P.); Graduate School of Public Health, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan (N.T.T.V.); Research School of Economics, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia (S.N.); and School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia (D.P.)
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Oh J, Kim E, Kwag Y, An H, Kim HS, Shah S, Lee JH, Ha E. Heat wave exposure and increased heat-related hospitalizations in young children in South Korea: A time-series study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 241:117561. [PMID: 37951381 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117561] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have investigated the association between heat wave exposure increased heat-related hospitalizations in the general population. However, little is known about heat-related morbidity in young children who are more vulnerable than the general population. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between hospitalization for heat-related illness in children and heat wave exposure in South Korea. METHODS We used the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, which provides medical records from 2015 to 2019 in South Korea. We defined daily hospitalizations for heat-related illness of children younger than five years during the summer period (June to August). We considered the definition of heat waves considering the absolute temperature and percentile. A total of 12 different heat waves were used. A time-series analysis was used to investigate the association between heat wave exposure and heat-related hospitalization among children younger than five years. We used a two-stage design involving a meta-analysis after modeling by each region. RESULTS We included 16,879 daily heat-related hospitalizations among children younger than five years. Overall, heat wave exposure within two days was most related for heat-related hospitalizations in young children. The relative risk (RR) due to heat wave exposure within two days (lag2) (12 definitions: 70th to 90th percentile of maximum temperature) ranged from 1.038 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.971, 1.110) to 1.083 (95% CI: 1.036, 1.133). We found that boys were more vulnerable to heat exposure than girls. In addition, we found that urban areas were more vulnerable to heat exposure than rural areas. CONCLUSIONS In our study, heat wave exposure during summer was found to be associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heat-related illness among children younger than five years. Our findings suggest the need for summer heat wave management and prevention for children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongmin Oh
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Ewha-SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea; Department of Human Systems Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University Graduate School, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Kim
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngrin Kwag
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyungmi An
- Institute of Convergence Medicine Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Republic of Korea
| | - Hae Soon Kim
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Surabhi Shah
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hyen Lee
- Institute of Ewha-SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Eunhee Ha
- Department of Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Ewha-SCL for Environmental Health (IESEH), College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea; Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Yin P, Gao Y, Chen R, Liu W, He C, Hao J, Zhou M, Kan H. Temperature-related death burden of various neurodegenerative diseases under climate warming: a nationwide modelling study. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8236. [PMID: 38086884 PMCID: PMC10716387 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44066-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Limited knowledge exists regarding the ramifications of climate warming on death burden from neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we conducted a nationwide, individual-level, case-crossover study between 2013 and 2019 to investigate the effects of non-optimal temperatures on various neurodegenerative diseases and to predict the potential death burden under different climate change scenarios. Our findings reveal that both low and high temperatures are linked to increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases death. We project that heat-related neurodegenerative disease deaths would increase, while cold-related deaths would decrease. This is characterized by a steeper slope in the high-emission scenario, but a less pronounced trend in the scenarios involving mitigation strategies. Furthermore, we predict that the net changes in attributable death would increase after the mid-21st century, especially under the unrestricted-emission scenario. These results highlight the urgent need for effective climate and public health policies to address the growing challenges of neurodegenerative diseases associated with global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yin
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ya Gao
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Renjie Chen
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Liu
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng He
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junwei Hao
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Beijing, China.
| | - Maigeng Zhou
- National Center for Chronic Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Key Lab of Public Health Safety of the Ministry of Education, NHC Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, IRDR ICoE on Risk Interconnectivity and Governance on Weather/Climate Extremes Impact and Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Guo LL, Guo LY, Li J, Gu YW, Wang JY, Cui Y, Qian Q, Chen T, Jiang R, Zheng S. Characteristics and Admission Preferences of Pediatric Emergency Patients and Their Waiting Time Prediction Using Electronic Medical Record Data: Retrospective Comparative Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e49605. [PMID: 37910168 PMCID: PMC10652198 DOI: 10.2196/49605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The growing number of patients visiting pediatric emergency departments could have a detrimental impact on the care provided to children who are triaged as needing urgent attention. Therefore, it has become essential to continuously monitor and analyze the admissions and waiting times of pediatric emergency patients. Despite the significant challenge posed by the shortage of pediatric medical resources in China's health care system, there have been few large-scale studies conducted to analyze visits to the pediatric emergency room. OBJECTIVE This study seeks to examine the characteristics and admission patterns of patients in the pediatric emergency department using electronic medical record (EMR) data. Additionally, it aims to develop and assess machine learning models for predicting waiting times for pediatric emergency department visits. METHODS This retrospective analysis involved patients who were admitted to the emergency department of Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Clinical data from these admissions were extracted from the electronic medical records, encompassing various variables of interest such as patient demographics, clinical diagnoses, and time stamps of clinical visits. These indicators were collected and compared. Furthermore, we developed and evaluated several computational models for predicting waiting times. RESULTS In total, 183,024 eligible admissions from 127,368 pediatric patients were included. During the 12-month study period, pediatric emergency department visits were most frequent among children aged less than 5 years, accounting for 71.26% (130,423/183,024) of the total visits. Additionally, there was a higher proportion of male patients (104,147/183,024, 56.90%) compared with female patients (78,877/183,024, 43.10%). Fever (50,715/183,024, 27.71%), respiratory infection (43,269/183,024, 23.64%), celialgia (9560/183,024, 5.22%), and emesis (6898/183,024, 3.77%) were the leading causes of pediatric emergency room visits. The average daily number of admissions was 501.44, and 18.76% (34,339/183,204) of pediatric emergency department visits resulted in discharge without a prescription or further tests. The median waiting time from registration to seeing a doctor was 27.53 minutes. Prolonged waiting times were observed from April to July, coinciding with an increased number of arrivals, primarily for respiratory diseases. In terms of waiting time prediction, machine learning models, specifically random forest, LightGBM, and XGBoost, outperformed regression methods. On average, these models reduced the root-mean-square error by approximately 17.73% (8.951/50.481) and increased the R2 by approximately 29.33% (0.154/0.525). The SHAP method analysis highlighted that the features "wait.green" and "department" had the most significant influence on waiting times. CONCLUSIONS This study offers a contemporary exploration of pediatric emergency room visits, revealing significant variations in admission rates across different periods and uncovering certain admission patterns. The machine learning models, particularly ensemble methods, delivered more dependable waiting time predictions. Patient volume awaiting consultation or treatment and the triage status emerged as crucial factors contributing to prolonged waiting times. Therefore, strategies such as patient diversion to alleviate congestion in emergency departments and optimizing triage systems to reduce average waiting times remain effective approaches to enhance the quality of pediatric health care services in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Lin Guo
- Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ying Guo
- Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yao Wen Gu
- Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Yang Wang
- Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Cui
- Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Qian
- Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Si Zheng
- Institute of Medical Information, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Computer Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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11
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Lanzinger S, Biester T, Siegel E, Schneider A, Schöttler H, Placzek K, Klinkert C, Heidtmann B, Ziegler J, Holl RW. The impact of daily mean air temperature on the proportion of time in hypoglycemia in 2,582 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes - Is this association clinically relevant? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116488. [PMID: 37356532 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116488] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the potential association between increases in daily mean air temperature and time below range (TBR <54 mg/dl) and time above range (TAR >250 mg/dl) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Individuals with type 1 diabetes <21 years with information on daily glucose profiles from the diabetes prospective follow-up study (DPV) were included (n = 2582). Further inclusion criteria were age at least 6 months at diabetes onset, diabetes duration for at least one year and treatment years 2020-2021. Mean daily air temperature and other meteorological parameters from 78 measurement stations in Germany were linked to the individual glucose sensor profile via the five-digit postcode areas of residency. We used multivariable repeated measures fractional logistic regression models with a compound symmetry covariance structure to study the association between a 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature and time in specific glucose ranges. RESULTS A 1 °C increase in daily mean temperature was associated with an acute (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.009 (95%-CI 1.007, 1.011)) and up to 7 days delayed (OR 1.003 (1.001, 1.005)) increase in TBR <54 mg/dl. Moreover, an acute decrease in TAR >250 mg/dl (OR 0.997 (0.996, 0.997)) was found. CONCLUSIONS Results of the DPV registry showed small, but statistically significant changes in TBR and TAR in association with a short-term temperature increase. Higher blood flow and faster insulin absorption might be one possible mechanism. In times of increasing temperature fluctuations meteorological impacts on time in range could become even more relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lanzinger
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, ZIBMT, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - T Biester
- AUF DER BULT, Diabetes-Center for Children and Adolescents, Hannover, Germany
| | - E Siegel
- Department of Internal Medicine, St. Josefs Hospital GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - A Schneider
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - H Schöttler
- Darmstädter Kinderkliniken Prinzessin Margaret, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - K Placzek
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Saale, Germany
| | - C Klinkert
- Diabetes Specialized Practice for Children and Adolescents, Herford, Germany
| | - B Heidtmann
- Catholic Children's Hospital Wilhelmstift, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Ziegler
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - R W Holl
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, ZIBMT, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Munich-Neuherberg, Germany
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12
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Biagioni B, Cecchi L, D'Amato G, Annesi-Maesano I. Environmental influences on childhood asthma: Climate change. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e13961. [PMID: 37232282 DOI: 10.1111/pai.13961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is a key environmental factor for allergic respiratory diseases, especially in childhood. This review describes the influences of climate change on childhood asthma considering the factors acting directly, indirectly and with their amplifying interactions. Recent findings on the direct effects of temperature and weather changes, as well as the influences of climate change on air pollution, allergens, biocontaminants and their interplays, are discussed herein. The review also focusses on the impact of climate change on biodiversity loss and on migration status as a model to study environmental effects on childhood asthma onset and progression. Adaptation and mitigation strategies are urgently needed to prevent further respiratory diseases and human health damage in general, especially in younger and future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Biagioni
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- SOS Allergy and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
| | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy AORN Cardarelli and University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Department of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases, Montpellier University Hospital, Institute Desbrest of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Montpellier and INSERM, Montpellier, France
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13
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Stowell JD, Sun Y, Spangler KR, Milando CW, Bernstein A, Weinberger KR, Sun S, Wellenius GA. Warm-season temperatures and emergency department visits among children with health insurance. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, HEALTH : ERH 2023; 1:015002. [PMID: 36337257 PMCID: PMC9623446 DOI: 10.1088/2752-5309/ac78fa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
High ambient temperatures have become more likely due to climate change and are linked to higher rates of heat-related illness, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, mental health disorders, and other diseases. To date, far fewer studies have examined the effects of high temperatures on children versus adults, and studies including children have seldom been conducted on a national scale. Compared to adults, children have behavioral and physiological differences that may give them differential heat vulnerability. We acquired medical claims data from a large database of commercially insured US children aged 0-17 from May to September (warm-season) 2016-2019. Daily maximum ambient temperature and daily mean relative humidity estimates were aggregated to the county level using the Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes dataset, and extreme heat was defined as the 95th percentile of the county-specific daily maximum temperature distribution. Using a case-crossover design and temperature lags 0-5 days, we estimated the associations between extreme heat and cause-specific emergency department visits (ED) in children aged <18 years, using the median county-specific daily maximum temperature distribution as the reference. Approximately 1.2 million ED visits in children from 2489 US counties were available during the study period. The 95th percentile of warm-season temperatures ranged from 71 °F to 112 °F (21.7 °C to 44.4 °C). Comparing 95th to the 50th percentile, extreme heat was associated with higher rates of ED visits for heat-related illness; endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases; and otitis media and externa, but not for all-cause admissions. Subgroup analyses suggested differences by age, with extreme heat positively associated with heat-related illness for both the 6-12 year (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16, 1.56) and 13-17 year age groups (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.37, 1.76). Among children with health insurance across the US, days of extreme heat were associated with higher rates of healthcare utilization. These results highlight the importance of individual and population-level actions to protect children and adolescents from extreme heat, particularly in the context of continued climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Stowell
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Yuantong Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Keith R Spangler
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Chad W Milando
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Optum Labs Visiting Scholar, Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America
| | - Aaron Bernstein
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Kate R Weinberger
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Optum Labs Visiting Scholar, Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America
| | - Gregory A Wellenius
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Optum Labs Visiting Scholar, Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America
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14
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Hu X, Tao J, Zheng H, Ding Z, Cheng J, Shen T. Impact of cold spells on COPD mortality in Jiangsu Province, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:6048-6054. [PMID: 35986849 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22387-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ambient cold is associated with substantial population attributable fraction of mortality in China, and respiratory health is vulnerable to cold exposure. This study aimed to examine the effect of cold spells on risk of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We collected daily data on deaths from COPD and climatic factors from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019 in 13 cities of Jiangsu Province, China. We used a quasi-Poisson generalized linear model coupled with a distributed lag non-linear model to quantify the association between risk of COPD deaths and exposure to cold spells (defined as 2 or more consecutive days with mean temperature ≤ 5th percentile of daily mean temperature distribution in cold months). Stratification analyses by age, sex, education, and occupation were undertaken to identify vulnerable subgroups. The results suggested that exposure to cold spells was associated with a higher risk of COPD deaths in Lianyungang (relative risk (RR): 1.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.31, 2.21), Nanjing (RR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.04), Nantong (RR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.68, 2.31), Suzhou (RR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.50), Suqian (RR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.23, 2.29), Taizhou (RR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.32, 2.19), Wuxi (RR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.53, 2.60), Xuzhou (RR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.90), Yancheng (RR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.53, 2.06), Yangzhou (RR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.06, 3.76), and Zhenjiang (RR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.55). All subgroups seemed to be vulnerable to the effect of cold spells. The recommendation of this study is that individuals with pre-existing COPD, regardless of age, sex, education, or occupation, should be made aware of the health risk posed by cold spells and should be encouraged to take cold adaptation actions before cold season arrives. The main limitation of this study is that it is subject to ecological fallacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Hu
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Junwen Tao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Department of Environmental Health, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhen Ding
- Department of Environmental Health, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Tong Shen
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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15
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Huebner GM. The role of parenthood in worry about overheating in homes in the UK and the US and implications for energy use: An online survey study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277286. [PMID: 36454901 PMCID: PMC9714918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change brings an increase in temperatures and a higher frequency of heatwaves. Both have been linked to a rise in suicide rates and violent crime on a population level. However, little is known about the link between mental health and ambient temperatures on an individual level and for particular subgroups. Overheating poses health risks to children and disturbs sleep; leading to the expectation that parents are more worried about their homes getting too hot than non-parents. Two online survey studies (N = 1000 each) were conducted in the UK and the US to understand to what extent parents and an age-matched comparison group without children are worried about overheating and how they differ in their mitigation actions. Findings did not support the main hypotheses around greater overheating worry amongst parents in general, mothers or those with very young children. However, parents indicated a greater likelihood to upgrade or install air-conditioning (US) and to get electric fans (UK). Parents in the UK indicated using more mitigation options to cope with overheating than non-parents. Parents in the US, whilst not reporting doing more actions, were more likely to use air-conditioning to deal with overheating than non-parents. Finally, those parents who mentioned health impacts on children as a reason for worry about overheating, were more concerned about overheating than parents who had other reasons than children's health as a reason for being concerned about overheating. In summary, parental status might have implications for cooling energy use and concern for children's health might increase overheating worry; however, many open questions remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gesche M. Huebner
- University College London, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, London, United Kingdom
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16
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Li Y, Liu Y, Sun B, Wang Y, Zhou Z, Zheng L, Zhang L, Yao X, Cheng Y. Knowledge, Attitude, Risk Perception, and Health-Related Adaptive Behavior of Primary School Children towards Climate Change: A Cross-Sectional Study in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15648. [PMID: 36497723 PMCID: PMC9740326 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Children are disproportionately affected by climate change while evidence regarding their adaptive behavior and relevant influencing factors is limited. OBJECTIVES We attempted to investigate health-related adaptive behavior towards climate change for primary school children in China and explore potential influencing factors. METHODS We conducted a survey of 8322 primary school children in 12 cities across China. Knowledge, attitude, risk perception, and adaptive behavior scores for children were collected using a designed questionnaire. Weather exposures of cities were collected from 2014 to 2018. We applied a multiple linear regression and mixed-effect regression to assess the influencing factors of adaptive behavior. We also used the structural equation model (SEM) to validate the theoretical framework of adaptive behavior. RESULTS Most children (76.1%) were aware of climate change. They mainly get information from television, smartphones, and the Internet. A 1 score increase in knowledge, attitude, and risk perception was associated with 0.210, 0.386, and 0.160 increase in adaptive behavior scores, respectively. Females and children having air conditioners or heating systems at home were positively associated with adaptive behavior. Exposure to cold and rainstorms increased the adaptive behavior scores, while heat exposure had the opposite effects. The SEM showed that knowledge was positively associated with attitude and risk perception. Knowledge, attitude, and risk perception corresponded to 31.6%, 22.8%, and 26.1% changes of adaptive behavior, respectively. CONCLUSION Most primary school children in China were aware of climate change. Knowledge, attitude, risk perception, cold, and rainstorm exposure were positively associated with health-related adaptive behavior towards climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xinhang Zhang
- Tongzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 101199, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yanxiang Liu
- Public Meteorological Service Center of China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Bo Sun
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yan Wang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Zhirong Zhou
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Linxin Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Yao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yibin Cheng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
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17
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Assessing the Impact of Meteorological Conditions on Outpatient Visits for Childhood Respiratory Diseases in Urumqi, China. J Occup Environ Med 2022; 64:e598-e605. [DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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18
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Hu Y, Cheng J, Liu S, Tan J, Yan C, Yu G, Yin Y, Tong S. Evaluation of climate change adaptation measures for childhood asthma: A systematic review of epidemiological evidence. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156291. [PMID: 35644404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change (GCC) is widely accepted as the biggest threat to human health of the 21st century. Children are particularly vulnerable to GCC due to developing organ systems, psychological immaturity, nature of daily activities, and higher level of per-body-unit exposure. There is a rising trend in the disease burden of childhood asthma and allergies in many parts of the world. The associations of CC, air pollution and other environmental exposures with childhood asthma are attracting more research attention, but relatively few studies have focused on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap and conducted the first systematic review on CC adaptation measures and childhood asthma. We searched electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science using a set of MeSH terms and related synonyms, and identified 20 eligible studies included for review. We found that there were a number of adaptation measures proposed for childhood asthma in response to GCC, including vulnerability assessment, improving ventilation and heating, enhancing community education, and developing forecast models and early warning systems. Several randomized controlled trials show that improving ventilation and installing heating in the homes appear to be an effective way to relieve childhood asthma symptoms, especially in winter. However, the effectiveness of most adaptation measures, except for improving ventilation and heating, have not been explored and quantified. Given more extreme weather events (e.g., cold spells and heatwaves) may occur as climate change progresses, this finding may have important implications. Evidently, further research is urgently warranted to evaluate the impacts of CC adaptation measures on childhood asthma. These adaptation measures, if proven to be effective, should be integrated in childhood asthma control and prevention programs as GCC continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yabin Hu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Cheng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shijian Liu
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianguo Tan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Meteorology and Health (Shanghai Meteorological Service), Shanghai, China
| | - Chonghuai Yan
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangjun Yu
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong Yin
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shilu Tong
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Institute of Environment and Population Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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19
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Tong M, Wondmagegn B, Xiang J, Hansen A, Dear K, Pisaniello D, Varghese B, Xiao J, Jian L, Scalley B, Nitschke M, Nairn J, Bambrick H, Karnon J, Bi P. Hospitalization Costs of Respiratory Diseases Attributable to Temperature in Australia and Projections for Future Costs in the 2030s and 2050s under Climate Change. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159706. [PMID: 35955062 PMCID: PMC9368165 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159706] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate respiratory disease hospitalization costs attributable to ambient temperatures and to estimate the future hospitalization costs in Australia. The associations between daily hospitalization costs for respiratory diseases and temperatures in Sydney and Perth over the study period of 2010-2016 were analyzed using distributed non-linear lag models. Future hospitalization costs were estimated based on three predicted climate change scenarios-RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The estimated respiratory disease hospitalization costs attributable to ambient temperatures increased from 493.2 million Australian dollars (AUD) in the 2010s to more than AUD 700 million in 2050s in Sydney and from AUD 98.0 million to about AUD 150 million in Perth. The current cold attributable fraction in Sydney (23.7%) and Perth (11.2%) is estimated to decline by the middle of this century to (18.1-20.1%) and (5.1-6.6%), respectively, while the heat-attributable fraction for respiratory disease is expected to gradually increase from 2.6% up to 5.5% in Perth. Limitations of this study should be noted, such as lacking information on individual-level exposures, local air pollution levels, and other behavioral risks, which is common in such ecological studies. Nonetheless, this study found both cold and hot temperatures increased the overall hospitalization costs for respiratory diseases, although the attributable fractions varied. The largest contributor was cold temperatures. While respiratory disease hospitalization costs will increase in the future, climate change may result in a decrease in the cold attributable fraction and an increase in the heat attributable fraction, depending on the location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Tong
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Berhanu Wondmagegn
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jianjun Xiang
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Alana Hansen
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Keith Dear
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Dino Pisaniello
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Blesson Varghese
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jianguo Xiao
- Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6004, Australia
| | - Le Jian
- Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6004, Australia
| | - Benjamin Scalley
- Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6004, Australia
| | - Monika Nitschke
- Department of Health, Government of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - John Nairn
- Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Hilary Bambrick
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QL 4000, Australia
| | - Jonathan Karnon
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5001, Australia
| | - Peng Bi
- School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-8-8313-3583
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Mason H, C King J, E Peden A, C Franklin R. Systematic review of the impact of heatwaves on health service demand in Australia. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:960. [PMID: 35902847 PMCID: PMC9336006 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08341-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Heatwaves have been linked to increased levels of health service demand in Australia. This systematic literature review aimed to explore health service demand during Australian heatwaves for hospital admissions, emergency department presentations, ambulance call-outs, and risk of mortality. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review to explore peer-reviewed heatwave literature published from 2000 to 2020. DATA SOURCES Articles were reviewed from six databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsychINFO, ProQuest, Science Direct). Search terms included: heatwave, extreme heat, ambulance, emergency department, and hospital. Studies were included if they explored heat for a period of two or more consecutive days. Studies were excluded if they did not define a threshold for extreme heat or if they explored data only from workers compensation claims and major events. DATA SYNTHESIS This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (# CRD42021227395 ). Forty-five papers were included in the final review following full-text screening. Following a quality assessment using the GRADE approach, data were extracted to a spreadsheet and compared. Significant increases in mortality, as well as hospital, emergency, and ambulance demand, were found across Australia during heatwave periods. Admissions for cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, mental and behavioural conditions exhibited increases during heatwaves. The most vulnerable groups during heatwaves were children (< 18 years) and the elderly (60+). CONCLUSIONS Heatwaves in Australia will continue to increase in duration and frequency due to the effects of climate change. Health planning is essential at the community, state, and federal levels to mitigate the impacts of heatwaves on health and health service delivery especially for vulnerable populations. However, understanding the true impact of heatwaves on health service demand is complicated by differing definitions and methodology in the literature. The Excess Heat Factor (EHF) is the preferred approach to defining heatwaves given its consideration of local climate variability and acclimatisation. Future research should explore evidence-based and spatially relevant heatwave prevention programs. An enhanced understanding of heatwave health impacts including service demand will inform the development of such programs which are necessary to promote population and health system resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Mason
- Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Jemma C King
- Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Amy E Peden
- Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia.,School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Richard C Franklin
- Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia.
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21
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Mu D, Li H, Wang D, Yang X, Wang S. Analysis of Environmental and Social Significant Factors Affecting the Flow of Maternal Patients in Jilin, China. Front Public Health 2022; 10:780452. [PMID: 35669749 PMCID: PMC9164295 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.780452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the implementation of China's Two-child policy, the number of pregnant women has been increasing year by year in recent years. However, the pregnancy success rate of pregnant women is declining year by year, and it is almost necessary for all the elderly mothers to do pregnancy protection. Objective The purpose of this study is to analyze the social and environmental factors that affect the patient flow of pregnant women in Jilin area of China, and further utilize the favorable factors to avoid the negative effects of adverse factors, so as to improve the pregnancy success rate and eugenics level. Methods Monthly patient flow data from 2018 to 2020 were collected in the obstetrics department of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The decompose function in R software was used to decompose the time series data, and the seasonal and trend change rules of the data were obtained; the significant factors influencing patient flow were analyzed by using Poisson regression model, and the prediction model was verified by using assumptions, such as the normal distribution of residuals and the constant difference of residuals. Results Temperature in environmental factors (P = 4.00E-08) had a significant impact on the flow of obstetric patient. The flow of patients was also significantly affected by the busy farming (P = 0.0013), entrance (P = 3.51E-10) and festivals (P = 0.00299). The patient flow was accompanied by random flow, but also showed trend change and seasonal change. The trend of change has been increasing year by year. The seasonal variation rule is that the flow of patients presents a trough in February every year, and reaches the peak in July. Conclusion In this article, Poisson regression model is used to obtain the social and environmental significant factors of obstetric patient flow. According to the significant factors, we should give full play to significant factors to further improve the level of eugenics. By using time series decomposition model, we can obtain the rising trend and seasonal trend of patient flow, and then provide the management with decision support, which is conducive to providing pregnant women with higher level of medical services and more comfortable medical experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Mu
- Department of Clinical Research, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hua Li
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dongxuan Wang
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinyu Yang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shutong Wang
- School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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22
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Ruchiraset A, Tantrakarnapa K. Association of climate factors and air pollutants with pneumonia incidence in Lampang province, Thailand: findings from a 12-year longitudinal study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:691-700. [PMID: 32662678 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2020.1793919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
This study attempted to understand the associations between pneumonia, climate, and environmental air pollutants in Thailand. A 12-year longitudinal study was performed between 2003 and 2014 in Lampang province, the Northern region of Thailand. Spearman correlation and negative binomial regression modelling were used to explore the relationships between climate factors and environmental air pollutants and pneumonia incidence. Spearman correlation shows that pneumonia incidence was positively correlated with humidity and negatively correlated with temperature, NO2, and O3. The regression modelling produced a series of models to predict pneumonia incidence based on information on climate and air quality. The result of the models shows that humidity and PM10 were associated with pneumonia incidence. To better protect the health, public health policy and risk assessment approach for pneumonia incidence should include considerations of the effect of air pollution. This result can be used for further intervention to take care of human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apaporn Ruchiraset
- Department of Social Medicine and Environment, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kraichat Tantrakarnapa
- Department of Social Medicine and Environment, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Meng C, Ke F, Xiao Y, Huang S, Duan Y, Liu G, Yu S, Fu Y, Peng J, Cheng J, Yin P. Effect of Cold Spells and Their Different Definitions on Mortality in Shenzhen, China. Front Public Health 2022; 9:817079. [PMID: 35141195 PMCID: PMC8818748 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.817079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A high premium has been put on researching the effects of cold spells because of their adverse influence on people's daily lives and health. The study aimed to find the most appropriate definition of the cold spell in Shenzhen and quantify the impact of cold spells on mortality. Based on the daily mortality data in Shenzhen from 2013 to 2017 and the meteorological and pollutant data from the same period, we quantified the effect of cold spells using eight different definitions in the framework of a distributed lag non-linear model with a quasi-Poisson distribution. In Shenzhen, low temperatures increase the risk of death more significantly than high temperatures (using the optimal temperature as the cut-off value). Comparing the quasi-Akaike information criterion value, attribution fraction (b-AF), and attribution number (b-AN) for all causes of deaths and non-accidental deaths, the optimal definition of the cold spell was defined as the threshold was 3rd percentile of the daily average temperature and duration for 3 or more consecutive days (all causes: b-AF = 2.31% [1.01–3.50%], b-AN = 650; non-accidental: b-AF = 1.92% [0.57–3.17%], b-AN = 471). For cardiovascular deaths, the best definition was the temperature threshold as the 3rd percentile of the daily average temperature with a duration of 4 consecutive days (cardiovascular: b-AF = 1.37% [0.05–2.51%], b-AN = 142). Based on the best definition in the model, mortality risk increased in cold spells, with a statistically significant lag effect occurring as early as the 4th day and the effect of a single day lasting for 6 days. The maximum cumulative effect occurred on the 14th day (all-cause: RR = 1.54 [95% CI, 1.20–1.98]; non-accidental: RR = 1.43 [95% CI, 1.11–1.84]; cardiovascular: RR = 1.58 [95% CI, 1.00–2.48]). The elderly and females were more susceptible to cold spells. Cold spells and their definitions were associated with an increased risk of death. The findings of this research provide information for establishing an early warning system, developing preventive measures, and protecting susceptible populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengzhen Meng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Ke
- Children's Health Care Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Suli Huang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanran Duan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuyuan Yu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingbin Fu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ji Peng
- Shenzhen Center for Chronic Disease Control, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Ji Peng
| | - Jinquan Cheng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Jinquan Cheng
| | - Ping Yin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Ping Yin
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Bernstein AS, Sun S, Weinberger KR, Spangler KR, Sheffield PE, Wellenius GA. Warm Season and Emergency Department Visits to U.S. Children's Hospitals. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:17001. [PMID: 35044241 PMCID: PMC8767980 DOI: 10.1289/ehp8083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extreme heat exposures are increasing with climate change. Health effects are well documented in adults, but the risks to children are not well characterized. OBJECTIVES We estimated the association between warm season (May to September) temperatures and cause-specific emergency department (ED) visits among U.S. children and adolescents. METHODS This multicenter time-series study leveraged administrative data on 3.8 million ED visits by children and adolescents ≤ 18 years of age to the EDs of 47 U.S. children's hospitals from May to September from 2016 to 2018. Daily maximum ambient temperature was estimated in the county of the hospital using a spatiotemporal model. We used distributed-lag nonlinear models with a quasi-Poisson distribution to estimate the association between daily maximum temperature and the relative risk (RR) of ED visits, adjusting for temporal trends. We then used a random-effects meta-analytic model to estimate the overall cumulative association. RESULTS Extreme heat was associated with an RR of all-cause ED visits of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.12, 1.21) relative to hospital-specific minimum morbidity temperature. Associations were more pronounced for ED visits due to heat-related illness including dehydration and electrolyte disorders (RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.57), bacterial enteritis (1.35; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.79), and otitis media and externa (1.30; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.52). Taken together, temperatures above the minimum morbidity temperature accounted for an estimated 11.8% [95% empirical 95% confidence interval (eCI): 9.9%, 13.3%] of warm season ED visits for any cause and 31.0% (95% eCI: 17.9%, 36.5%) of ED visits for heat-related illnesses. CONCLUSION During the warm season, days with higher temperatures were associated with higher rates of visits to children's hospital EDs. Higher ambient temperatures may contribute to a significant proportion of ED visits among U.S. children and adolescents. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8083.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron S. Bernstein
- Division of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shengzhi Sun
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kate R. Weinberger
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Keith R. Spangler
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Perry E. Sheffield
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Gregory A. Wellenius
- Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Niu L, Herrera MT, Girma B, Liu B, Schinasi L, Clougherty JE, Sheffield PE. High ambient temperature and child emergency and hospital visits in New York City. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022; 36:36-44. [PMID: 34164839 PMCID: PMC8957707 DOI: 10.1111/ppe.12793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging literature has documented heat-related impacts on child health, yet few studies have evaluated the effects of heat among children of different age groups and comparing emergency department (ED) and hospitalisation risks. OBJECTIVES To examine the differing associations between high ambient temperatures and risk of ED visits and hospitalisations among children by age group in New York City (NYC). METHODS We used New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) data on children aged 0-18 years admitted to NYC EDs (n = 2,252,550) and hospitals (n = 228,006) during the warm months (May-September) between 2005 and 2011. Using a time-stratified, case-crossover design, we estimated the risk of ED visits and hospitalisations associated with daily maximum temperature (Tmax) for children of all ages and by age group. RESULTS The average Tmax over the study period was 80.3°F (range 50°, 104°F). Tmax conferred the greatest risk of ED visits for children aged 0-4, with a 6-day cumulative excess risk of 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7, 3.0) per 13°F (ie interquartile range) increase in temperature. Children and adolescents 5-12 years (0.8%, 95% CI 0.1, 1.6) and 13-18 years (1.4%, 95% CI 0.6, 2.3) are also sensitive to heat. For hospitalisations, only adolescents 13-18 years had increased heat-related risk, with a cumulative excess risk of 7.9% (95% CI 2.0, 14.2) per 13°F increase in Tmax over 85°F. CONCLUSIONS This urban study in NYC reinforces that young children are particularly vulnerable to effects of heat, but also demonstrates the sensitivity of older children and adolescents as well. These findings underscore the importance of focussing on children and adolescents in targeting heat illness prevention and emergency response activities, especially as global temperatures continue to rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Niu
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public HealthIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Maria Teresa Herrera
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public HealthIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Blean Girma
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public HealthIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Bian Liu
- Department of Population Health Science and PolicyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Leah Schinasi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Urban Health CollaborativeDornsife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Jane E. Clougherty
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Urban Health CollaborativeDornsife School of Public HealthDrexel UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Perry E. Sheffield
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public HealthIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
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26
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Su X, Song H, Cheng Y, Yao X, Li Y. The mortality burden of nervous system diseases attributed to ambient temperature: A multi-city study in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149548. [PMID: 34388642 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Studies on the association between ambient temperature and human mortality have been widely reported, focusing on common diseases such as cardiopulmonary diseases. However, multi-city studies on the association between both high and low temperatures and mortality of nervous system diseases were scarce, especially on the evidence of vulnerable populations. METHODS Weekly meteorological data, air pollution data and mortality data of nervous system were collected in 5 cities in China. A quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was applied to quantify the association between extreme temperatures and mortality of nervous system diseases. Multivariate meta-analysis was applied to estimate the pooled effects at the overall levels. The attributable fractions (AFs) were calculated to assess the mortality burden attributable to both high and low temperatures. Stratified analyses were also performed by gender and age-groups through the above steps. RESULTS A total of 12,132 deaths of nervous system diseases were collected in our study. The overall minimum mortality temperature was 23.9 °C (61.9th), the cumulative relative risks of extreme heat and cold for nervous system diseases were 1.33(95%CI: 1.10, 1.61) and 1.47(95%CI: 1.27, 1.71). The mortality burden attributed to non-optimal temperatures accounted for 29.54% (95%eCI: 13.45%, 40.52%), of which the mortality burden caused by low temperature and high temperature accounted for 25.89% (95%eCI: 13.03%, 34.36%) and 3.65% (95%eCI: 0.42%, 6.17%), respectively. The mortality burden attributable to ambient temperature was higher in both males and the elderly (>74 years old), with the AF of 31.85% (95%eCI: 20.68%, 39.88%) and 31.14% (95%eCI: -6.83%, 49.51%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The non-optimal temperature can increase the mortality of nervous system diseases and the males and the elderly over 74 years have the highest attributable burden. The findings add the evidence of vulnerable populations of nervous system diseases against ambient temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Su
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Daxing District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Hejia Song
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yibin Cheng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Yao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
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27
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Keeping Each Other Safe: Who Checks on Their Neighbors During Weather Extremes in Summer and Winter? Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 16:1537-1544. [PMID: 34304752 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Weather extremes are increasing with climate change and associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Promotion of social connections is an emerging area of research and practice for risk reduction during weather extremes. This study examines the practice of checking on neighbors during extreme summer heat and extreme winter weather. Objectives are to (1) describe the extent of neighbor checking during these extremes, and (2) examine factors associated with neighbor checking. METHODS We analyze survey data (n = 442) from a primarily low- and moderate- income study sample in a Southeastern U.S. city, using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS About 17.6% of participants checked on neighbors during extreme summer heat, and 25.2% did so during extreme winter weather. Being middle or older aged and having more adverse physical health impacts were positively associated with neighbor checking, for both extremes. For winter only, having less education was positively associated with neighbor checking. CONCLUSIONS Community-based partnerships for reducing risk during weather extremes may consider people who are older or have experienced their own adverse health impacts as initial target groups for promoting neighbor checking. Future research should also examine the motivations for, details about, and impacts of neighbor checking in greater depth.
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Al-Qahtani MH, Yousef AA, Awary BH, Albuali WH, Al Ghamdi MA, AlOmar RS, AlShamlan NA, Yousef HA, Motabgani S, AlAmer NA, Alsawad KM, Altaweel FY, Altaweel KS, AlQunais RA, Alsubaie FA, Al Shammari MA. Characteristics of visits and predictors of admission from a paediatric emergency room in Saudi Arabia. BMC Emerg Med 2021; 21:72. [PMID: 34154525 PMCID: PMC8215860 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00467-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Emergency Room (ER) is one of the most used areas in healthcare institutions. Problems with over utilisation and overcrowding have been reported worldwide. This study aims at examining the characteristics of paediatric ER visits, the rate of hospital admissions and its associated predictors at King Fahd Hospital of the University in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Methods This is a retrospective, medical record-based study. Variables included gender, age group, nationality, complaints, Triage level, shifts and seasons. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies/percentages. P-values were obtained through a Chi-Squared test while unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios were estimated by binary logistic regression, where admission was considered as the outcome. Results The total number of paediatric patients included was 46,374, and only 2.5% were admitted. Males comprised 55.4% while females comprised 44.6%. The most common age group were toddlers, and 92.4% of the total sample were Saudis. The most common complaint was fever (26.9%) followed by respiratory symptoms (24.9%). Only 7 patients (0.02%) were classified as triage I (Resuscitation), and most were triage IV (Less urgent) (71.0%). Most visits occurred during the winter months. Adjusted ORs showed that neonates had higher odds of admission (OR = 3.85, 95%CI = 2.57–5.76). Moreover, those presenting with haematological conditions showed an OR of 65.49 (95%CI = 47.85–89.64), followed by endocrine conditions showing an OR of 34.89 (95%CI = 23.65–51.47). Triage I had a very high odds of admission (OR = 19.02, 95%CI = 2.70–133.76), whereas triage V was associated with a very low odds of admission (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.23–0.38). Conclusions A low rate of hospital admission was found in comparison with other rates worldwide. This was mostly attributed to an alarmingly high number of non-urgent ER visits. This further emphasises the problem with improper use of ER services, as these cases should be more appropriately directed towards primary healthcare centres. Further studies to examine the impact of prioritising patients in the ER based on the identified predictors of hospital admission, in addition to the standard triage system, are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad H Al-Qahtani
- Department of Paediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A Yousef
- Department of Paediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bassam H Awary
- Department of Paediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed H Albuali
- Department of Paediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Al Ghamdi
- Department of Paediatrics, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, College of Medicine, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.,King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem S AlOmar
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Nouf A AlShamlan
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haneen A Yousef
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameerah Motabgani
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naheel A AlAmer
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kawthar M Alsawad
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Y Altaweel
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kawther S Altaweel
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Roaya A AlQunais
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatima A Alsubaie
- College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Malak A Al Shammari
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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29
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Davis KF, Downs S, Gephart JA. Towards food supply chain resilience to environmental shocks. NATURE FOOD 2021; 2:54-65. [PMID: 37117650 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-020-00196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Environmental variability and shock events can be propagated or attenuated along food supply chains by various economic, political and infrastructural factors. Understanding these processes is central to reducing risks associated with periodic food shortages, price spikes and reductions in food quality. Here we perform a scoping review of the literature to examine entry points for environmental variability along the food supply chain, the evidence of propagation or attenuation of this variability, and the food items and types of shock that have been studied. We find that research on food supply shocks has primarily focused on maize, rice and wheat, on agricultural production and on extreme rainfall and temperatures-indicating the need to expand research into the full food basket, diverse sources of environmental variability and the links connecting food production to consumption and nutrition. Insights from this new knowledge can inform key responses-at the level of an individual (for example, substituting foods), a company (for example, switching sources) or a government (for example, strategic reserves)-for coping with disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Frankel Davis
- Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
- Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Shauna Downs
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica A Gephart
- Department of Environmental Science, American University, Washington DC, USA
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Wilk P, Gunz A, Maltby A, Ravichakaravarthy T, Clemens KK, Lavigne É, Lim R, Vicedo-Cabrera AM. Extreme heat and paediatric emergency department visits in Southwestern Ontario. Paediatr Child Health 2020; 26:305-309. [PMID: 34336059 DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxaa096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The risk of adverse health events is expected to increase with hotter temperatures, particularly among the most vulnerable groups such as elderly persons and children. The objective of this study was to assess the association between extreme heat and daily emergency department visits among children (0 to 17 years) in Southwestern Ontario. Methods We examined the average maximum temperature, relative humidity, and daily paediatric emergency department visits in June through August of 2002 to 2019. We reviewed emergency department visits from two academic hospitals. Daily meteorological data from the local weather station were obtained from Environment and Climate Change Canada. Results Extreme heat, defined as the 99th percentile of the maximum temperature distribution, occurred at 33.1°C and was associated with an overall 22% increase in emergency department visits, compared to the reference temperature of 21°C. This association was mostly found between the second and fifth day after the exposure, suggesting a slightly delayed effect. The results of the sub-group analysis indicate that the risk of an emergency department visit due to infectious disease increases by 35% and the most pronounced association was noted in children aged 1 to 12 years. Conclusions Extreme heat is associated with an increased incidence of emergency department visits in children. As temperatures continue to increase, strategies to mitigate heat-related health risks among children should be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Wilk
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario.,Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario.,Child Health Research Institute, London, Ontario.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario
| | - Anna Gunz
- Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario.,Child Health Research Institute, London, Ontario.,Division of Paediatric Critical Care, Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario
| | - Alana Maltby
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario
| | | | - Kristin K Clemens
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario.,Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario.,ICES, London, Ontario.,St. Joseph's Health Care, London, Ontario
| | - Éric Lavigne
- Air Health Science Division, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Rodrick Lim
- Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario.,Child Health Research Institute, London, Ontario.,Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario
| | - Ana Maria Vicedo-Cabrera
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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31
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Ma Y, Zhou L, Chen K. Burden of cause-specific mortality attributable to heat and cold: A multicity time-series study in Jiangsu Province, China. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 144:105994. [PMID: 32745780 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous epidemiological studies primarily examined the temperature-related mortality burden of all-cause or cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and respiratory diseases. However, evidence on the heat- and cold-attributable mortality burden from other specific causes is limited. This paper aimed to systematically examine the association of heat and cold with a comprehensive spectrum of plausible temperature-related diseases, and to estimate the mortality burdens attributable to heat and cold. In the time-series study of 11 cities in Jiangsu, China, distributed lag non-linear models were applied to estimate city-specific temperature-mortality associations, and then meta-analysis was conducted to pool the estimates. A total of 1,368,648 cases of death were included in this study. Both extreme heat and cold were associated with increased mortality risks from all-cause, CVD, respiratory diseases, nervous diseases, and external causes. Short-term exposures to heat and cold were associated with excess burden of mortality for several specific diseases, accounting for 16.38% (95% eCI, 7.27-22.31%) for myocardial infarction (MI), 12.41% (95% eCI, 8.81-15.07%) for stroke, 27.97% (95% eCI, 18.42-33.35%) for hypertensive heart disease, 25.18% (95% eCI, 18.42-29.63%) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 28.46% (95% eCI: 4.93-33.57%) for Alzheimer's and dementia. Diabetes was only associated with extreme heat, with 4.61% (95% eCI, 0.13-7.13%) of diabetes mortality attributable to heat. In total, 11.98% (95% eCI, 10.46-13.08%) of mortality was attributable to heat and cold, with 3.49% (95% eCI, 2.87-4.00%) attributable to heat and 8.48% (95% eCI, 7.31-9.49%) attributable to cold, and about 64% of this overall temperature-related mortality burden was found in 6 aforementioned specific causes and about 10% of mortality burden in external causes. Extreme heat and/or cold are associated with increased risks of mortality from a wide range of causes, including previously identified causes in cardiorespiratory diseases and under-studied causes such as diabetes and Alzheimer's and dementia. Future research is needed to confirm the substantial mortality burden of heat and cold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqun Ma
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Lian Zhou
- College of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center on Climate Change and Health, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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32
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Wenfang G, Yi L, Wang P, Wang B, Li M. Assessing the effects of meteorological factors on daily children's respiratory disease hospitalizations: A retrospective study. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04657. [PMID: 32817894 PMCID: PMC7424195 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory disease symptoms in children are aggravated by frequent changes in meteorological conditions. The net effective temperature (NET) integrates temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed as a cooling indicator. This study aims to assess the effect of daily changes in meteorological factors and corresponding NET data on children's hospitalizations for different ages, genders and subtypes of respiratory infections in Baotou, China. Distributed lag non-linear models were constructed to simultaneously assess the exposure–response associations between daily admission counts of children with respiratory diseases and daily NET and other meteorological factors, as well as their lag dependencies. As air pollution significantly affects the respiratory tract, it was considered as confounding factor. In general, the cumulative meteorological factors had greater effects on lower respiratory tract infections than upper respiratory tract infections (RR: temperature [5.21 vs. 2.33], wind speed [4.89 vs. 3.12], and humidity [1.77 vs. 0.97]). The effects of cumulative meteorological factors on female children were greater than those on male children (RR: temperature [2.14 vs. 1.82], wind speed [5.46 vs. 1.90], and humidity [1.60 vs. 1.55]). Temperature and wind speed showed an influence on 4–7-year-old children, but these factors had no influence on other age groups; humidity only showed an influence on the 0–3-year-old group. The NET value had a large effect on lower respiratory infections, in the 4–7-year-old group and female children. In conclusion, a complex non-linear relationship exists between climate variability and children's respiratory diseases. The results of the study can be used to support the development of important meteorological information tools for early warnings of respiratory disease events in children. Concurrently, the NET values can be used for comprehensive assessments of climate change in the future, which will help the government and health authorities better minimize the impacts of children's respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo Wenfang
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Academy of Traditional Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China.,Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Letai Yi
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Academy of Traditional Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China.,Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China
| | - Peng Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014000, China
| | - Baojun Wang
- Inner Mongolia Baotou City Central Hospital, Baotou 014040, China
| | - Minhui Li
- Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Academy of Traditional Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China.,Inner Mongolia Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hohhot 010020, China.,Baotou Medical College, Baotou 014060, China
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Heatwave-Related Mortality Risk and the Risk-Based Definition of Heat Wave in South Korea: A Nationwide Time-Series Study for 2011-2017. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165720. [PMID: 32784700 PMCID: PMC7460278 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Studies on the pattern of heatwave mortality using nationwide data that include rural areas are limited. This study aimed to assess the risk of heatwave-related mortality and evaluate the health risk-based definition of heatwave. We collected data on daily temperature and mortality from 229 districts in South Korea in 2011–2017. District-specific heatwave-related mortality risks were calculated using a distributed lag model. The estimates were pooled in the total areas and for each urban and rural area using meta-regression. In the total areas, the threshold point of heatwave mortality risk was estimated at the 93rd percentile of temperature, and it was lower in urban areas than in rural areas (92nd percentile vs. 95th percentile). The maximum risk of heatwave-related mortality in the total area was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.01–1.22), and it was slightly greater in rural areas than in the urban areas (RR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.53 vs. RR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20). The results differ by age- and cause-specific deaths. In conclusion, the patterns of heatwave-related mortality risk vary by area and sub-population in Korea. Thus, more target-specific heatwave definitions and action plans should be established according to different areas and populations.
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Zhang Y, Bambrick H, Mengersen K, Tong S, Feng L, Liu G, Xu A, Zhang L, Hu W. Association of weather variability with resurging pertussis infections among different age groups: A non-linear approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 719:137510. [PMID: 32135321 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pertussis has resurged in many countries over recent years, especially among adolescents and adults. This study assessed the effect of weather variability on resurging pertussis among different age groups in Jinan, China. Data on weekly pertussis notifications by age group and weather factors (mean temperature (MeanT), mean temperature standard deviation within a week (MeanT SD), diurnal temperature range (DTR) and relative humidity (RH)) were collected between 2013 and 2017. Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) and regression tree models were used to examine the non-linear association between weather variability and pertussis infections. The 2-weeks cumulative relative risk (RR) of pertussis infections was 4.46 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.33-9.51) in 0-4 age group, 6.25 (95% CI: 1.38-22.76) in 5-9 age group and 10.11 (95% CI: 2.83-39.07) in 10+ age group when MeanT was at 30.0 °C. MeanT SD (RR range in the three age groups: 2.82-5.83), DTR (RR range: 6.33-11.56) and RH (RR range: 2.02-7.43) also exert significant influence, with the highest risks at 10+ age group. Regression tree models showed the interactive effects of weather variability. The mean pertussis infections increased by over 1.7-fold in 0-4 years group when MeanT ≥14 °C, RH ≥57% and DTR ≥10 °C; by over 2.3-fold in 5-9 years group when MeanT ≥20 °C and MeanT SD ≥3 °C; by 2.0-fold in 10+ years group when MeanT ≥0.7 °C, DTR ≥8.3 °C and RH ≥74%. The study found significantly different associations between weather variability and pertussis infections by age group, and appeared to be stronger in 10+ years group. Continuing climate change, together with other risk factors such as low antibody levels among adolescents and adults, may facilitate pertussis resurgence. This supports previous suggestions of carefully reconsidering current vaccination programme to effectively curb the resurgence of pertussis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhou Zhang
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Hilary Bambrick
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kerrie Mengersen
- School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Shilu Tong
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Public Health and Institute of Environment and Human Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Feng
- Shandong Provincial Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Guifang Liu
- Shandong Provincial Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Aiqiang Xu
- Shandong Provincial Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China.
| | - Wenbiao Hu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Corcuera Hotz I, Hajat S. The Effects of Temperature on Accident and Emergency Department Attendances in London: A Time-Series Regression Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E1957. [PMID: 32192045 PMCID: PMC7142952 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiological research relating mortality and hospital admissions to ambient temperature is well established. However, less is known about the effect temperature has on Accident and Emergency (A&E) department attendances. Time-series regression analyses were conducted to investigate the effect of temperature for a range of cause- and age-specific attendances in Greater London (LD) between 2007 to 2012. A seasonally adjusted Poisson regression model was used to estimate the percent change in daily attendances per 1 °C increase in temperature. The risk of overall attendance increased by 1.0% (95% CI 0.8, 1.4) for all ages and 1.4% (1.2, 1.5) among 0- to 15-year-olds. A smaller but significant increase in risk was found for cardiac, respiratory, cerebrovascular and psychiatric presentations. Importantly, for fracture-related attendances, the risk rose by 1.1% (0.7, 1.5) per 1 °C increase in temperature above the identified temperature threshold of 16 °C, with the highest increase of 2.1% (1.5, 3.0) seen among 0- to 15-year-olds. There is a positive association between increasing temperatures and A&E department attendance, with the risk appearing highest in children and the most deprived areas. A&E departments are vulnerable to increased demand during hot weather and therefore need to be adequately prepared to address associated health risks posed by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Corcuera Hotz
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Centre on Climate Change and Planetary Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London WC1H 9SH, UK;
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36
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Is Sensible Heat Flux Useful for the Assessment of Thermal Vulnerability in Seoul (Korea)? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17030963. [PMID: 32033178 PMCID: PMC7037179 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Climate change has led to increases in global temperatures, raising concerns regarding the threat of lethal heat waves and deterioration of the thermal environment. In the present study, we adopted two methods for spatial modelling of the thermal environment based on sensible heat and temperature. A vulnerability map reflecting daytime temperature was derived to plot thermal vulnerability based on sensible heat and climate change exposure factors. The correlation (0.73) between spatial distribution of sensible heat vulnerability and mortality rate was significantly greater than that (0.30) between the spatial distribution of temperature vulnerability and mortality rate. These findings indicate that deriving thermally vulnerable areas based on sensible heat are more objective than thermally vulnerable areas based on existing temperatures. Our findings support the notion that the distribution of sensible heat vulnerability at the community level is useful for evaluating the thermal environment in specific neighbourhoods. Thus, our results may aid in establishing spatial planning standards to improve environmental sustainability in a metropolitan community.
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Ragettli MS, Vicedo-Cabrera AM, Flückiger B, Röösli M. Impact of the warm summer 2015 on emergency hospital admissions in Switzerland. Environ Health 2019; 18:66. [PMID: 31412877 PMCID: PMC6694501 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0507-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only a few studies have examined the impact of a particular heat event on morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the warm summer 2015 on emergency hospital admissions (EHA) in Switzerland. The summer 2015 ranks as the second hottest after 2003 in the history of temperature observation in Switzerland. METHODS Daily counts of EHA for various disease categories during summer 2015 were analyzed in relation to previous summers in Switzerland. Excess EHA for non-external causes during summer 2015 (June-August) were estimated by age group, gender, geographic region and disease category by comparing observed and expected cases. The latter were predicted from strata-specific quasi-Poisson regression models fitted to the daily counts of EHA for years 2012-2014. RESULTS Over the three summer months in 2015, an estimated 2.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-3.2%) increase in EHA (non-external causes) occurred corresponding to 2,768 excess cases. Highest excess EHA estimates were found in the warmest regions (Ticino [8.4%, 95% CI 5.1-11.7%] and the Lake Geneva region [4.8%, 95% CI 3.0-6.7%]) and among the elderly population aged ≥75 years (5.1%, 95% CI 3.7-6.5%). Increased EHA during days with most extreme temperatures were observed for influenza and pneumonia, certain infectious diseases and diseases of the genitourinary system. CONCLUSIONS Summer 2015 had a considerable impact on EHA in Switzerland. The daily number of EHA mainly increased due to diseases not commonly linked to heat-related mortality. No excess morbidity was found for cardiovascular and most respiratory diseases. This suggests that current public health interventions should be reevaluated to prevent both heat-related illness and deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina S Ragettli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Ana M Vicedo-Cabrera
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Flückiger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Röösli
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Gronlund CJ, Cameron L, Shea C, O’Neill MS. Assessing the magnitude and uncertainties of the burden of selected diseases attributable to extreme heat and extreme precipitation under a climate change scenario in Michigan for the period 2041-2070. Environ Health 2019; 18:40. [PMID: 31029138 PMCID: PMC6487044 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extreme heat (EH) and extreme precipitation (EP) events are expected to increase with climate change in many parts of the world. Characterizing the potential future morbidity and mortality burden of EH and EP and associated costs, as well as uncertainties in the estimates, can identify areas for public health intervention and inform adaptation strategies. We demonstrate a burden of disease and uncertainty assessment using data from Michigan, USA, and provide approaches for deriving these estimates for locations lacking certain data inputs. METHODS Case-crossover analysis adapted from previous Michigan-specific modeling was used to characterize the historical EH-mortality relationship by county poverty rate and age group. Historical EH-associated hospitalization and emergency room visit risks from the literature were adapted to Michigan. In the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's BenMAP software, we used a novel approach, with multiple spatially-varying exposures, to estimate all non-accidental mortality and morbidity occurring on EH days (EH days; days where maximum temperature 32.2-35 C or > 35 C) and EP days. We did so for two time periods: the "historical" period (1971-2000), and the "projected" period (2041-2070), by county. RESULTS The rate of all non-accidental mortality associated with EH days increased from 0.46/100,000 persons historically to 2.9/100,000 in the projected period, for 240 EH-attributable deaths annually. EH-associated ED visits increased from 12/100,000 persons to 68/100,000 persons, for 7800 EH-attributable emergency department visits. EP-associated ED visits increased minimally from 1.7 to 1.9/100,000 persons. Mortality and morbidity were highest among those aged 65+ (91% of all deaths). Projected health costs are dominated by EH-associated mortality ($280 million) and EH-associated emergency department visits ($14 million). A variety of sources contribute to a moderate-to-high degree of uncertainty around the point estimates, including uncertainty in the magnitude of climate change, population composition, baseline health rates, and exposure-response estimates. CONCLUSIONS The approach applied here showed that health burden due to climate may significantly rise for all Michigan counties by midcentury. The costs to health care and uncertainties in the estimates, given the potential for substantial attributable burden, provide additional information to guide adaptation measures for EH and EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina J. Gronlund
- Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 USA
| | - Lorraine Cameron
- Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program, Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48909 USA
| | - Claire Shea
- Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program, Division of Environmental Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing, MI 48909 USA
| | - Marie S. O’Neill
- Departments of Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029 USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is expected to result in more heat-related, but potentially fewer cold-related, emergency department visits and deaths. The net effect of projected changes in temperature on morbidity and mortality remains incompletely understood. We estimated the change in temperature-related morbidity and mortality at two sites in southern New England, United States, through the end of the 21st century. METHODS We used distributed lag Poisson regression models to estimate the present-day associations between daily mean temperature and all-cause emergency department visits and deaths in Rhode Island and in Boston, Massachusetts. We estimated the change in temperature-related visits and deaths in 2045-2054 and 2085-2094 (relative to 2001-2010) under two greenhouse gas emissions scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) using downscaled projections from an ensemble of over 40 climate models, assuming all other factors remain constant. RESULTS We observed U-shaped relationships between temperature and morbidity and mortality in Rhode Island, with minima at 10.9°C and 22.5°C, respectively. We estimated that, if this population were exposed to the future temperatures projected under RCP8.5 for 2085-2094, there would be 5,976 (95% eCI = 1,630, 11,379) more emergency department visits but 218 (95% eCI = -551, 43) fewer deaths annually. Results were similar in Boston and similar but less pronounced in the 2050s and under RCP4.5. CONCLUSIONS We estimated that in the absence of further adaptation, if the current southern New England population were exposed to the higher temperatures projected for future decades, temperature-related emergency department visits would increase but temperature-related deaths would not.
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Figgs LW. Emergency department asthma diagnosis risk associated with the 2012 heat wave and drought in Douglas County NE, USA. Heart Lung 2019; 48:250-257. [PMID: 30686617 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global climate change concerns are forcing local public health agencies to assess potential disease risk. OBJECTIVE Determine if risk of an emergency department asthma diagnosis in Douglas County, NE, was higher during the 2012 heatwave compared to 2011. METHODS Retrospective, observational, case-control design selecting subjects from 2011 and 2012 emergency department (ED) admissions. Risk was estimated by conditional logistic regression. RESULTS The asthma ED risk estimate was 1.23 (95%CI = 0.96-1.57) times higher in 2012 than 2011, for the same calendar period. Asthma ED diagnosis risk was 3.37 (95%CI = 2.27-4.17) times higher among subjects <19years old compared to older subjects, and 3.25 (95%CI = 2.63-4.02) times higher among African-Americans than non-African-Americans, adjusted for heatwave exposure. Absolute humidity appears inversely related to asthma diagnosis risk ( χ2 = 16.6; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Asthma ED diagnosis risk was not significantly higher in 2012 compared to 2011. Risk was elevated among subjects less than 19years old, and among African Americans; adjusted for heatwave exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry W Figgs
- Environmental Health Division, Douglas County Health Department, 1111 South 41 Street, Omaha, NE 68105, United States.
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Luong LMT, Phung D, Sly PD, Dang TN, Morawska L, Thai PK. Effects of temperature on hospitalisation among pre-school children in Hanoi, Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:2603-2612. [PMID: 30474814 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3737-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effect of short-term changes in ambient temperature on hospital admissions among children aged less than 5 years old in Hanoi, Vietnam. Data on daily hospital admissions from January 2010 to June 2014 were collected from two hospitals. Daily meteorological data were obtained for the same period. We applied time series analysis to evaluate the risk of hospitalisation related to hot and cold weather by age and causes. We found that a 1 °C decrease in minimum temperature during the cold weather months was associated with 2.2% increase in hospital admission for respiratory infection among children 3-5 years old. A 1 °C increase in diurnal temperature range (DTR) in cold weather was associated with an increase of 1.9% and 1.7% in hospitalisation for all causes and respiratory infection, respectively, among children < 3 years old and an increase of 1.8% and 3.4% in hospitalisation for all causes and respiratory infection, respectively, among children of 3-5 years old. Negative associations between hot weather and hospital admissions were demonstrated. These findings suggested that low temperature and DTRs in winter are important risk factors for hospital admissions among children aged < 5 years old in Hanoi. Other factors may have modified the effect of high temperature on hospital admissions of children in Hanoi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ly M T Luong
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Children's Health and Environment Program, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, VNU University of Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dung Phung
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Peter D Sly
- Children's Health and Environment Program, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tran Ngoc Dang
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- The Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang City, Vietnam
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality & Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Phong K Thai
- International Laboratory for Air Quality & Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
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Xu Z, FitzGerald G, Guo Y, Jalaludin B, Tong S. Assessing heatwave impacts on cause-specific emergency department visits in urban and rural communities of Queensland, Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 168:414-419. [PMID: 30388498 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heatwave impact on morbidity of people in rural areas has rarely been assessed in prior studies, and recently published literature has documented heatwave impact on a wide spectrum of diseases, for example, ear and eye diseases. OBJECTIVES To examine the associations between heatwaves and cause-specific emergency department visits (EDVs) across eight communities in both urban and rural regions throughout Queensland, Australia. METHODS Daily data on EDVs, air pollution and climatic conditions during the 1st January 2013 to the 31st December 2015 were obtained from relevant government agencies. Heatwave was defined as ≥ 95th percentile of the mean temperature for three or more consecutive days in each community. A quasi-Poisson generalized additive model with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to assess the heatwave impacts on EDVs. Random effect meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effects of heatwaves on cause-specific EDVs across the urban and rural regions as well as the whole Queensland. The causes of EDVs investigated in this study were infectious and parasitic diseases (ICD code: A00-B99), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90), mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99), diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99), diseases of the ear and mastoid process (H60-H95), diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99), diseases of the respiratory system (J00-J99), diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (L00-L99), diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99), diseases of the genitourinary system (N00-N99), and injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T98). RESULTS The meta-analysis results showed that there were significant effects of heatwaves on total EDVs and a wide-spectrum of cause-specific EDVs. For example, EDVs for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (RR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.04-1.34), diseases of the nervous system (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17), and diseases of the genitourinary system (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.09) increased substantially during heatwave days. The effect of heatwaves on total EDVs was similar for rural (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) and urban regions (RR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07). CONCLUSIONS A wide range of diseases were sensitive to heatwave impacts. Residents in urban and rural areas were all vulnerable to heatwave impacts, calling for heat adaptation measures to be undertaken in Queensland, Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Xu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Gerard FitzGerald
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Yuming Guo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Shilu Tong
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Institute of Environment and Population Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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Liu Z, Lao J, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhang J, Wang H, Jiang B. Association between floods and typhoid fever in Yongzhou, China: Effects and vulnerable groups. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 167:718-724. [PMID: 30241731 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little information about the effects of floods on typhoid fever is available in previous studies. This study aimed to examine the relationships between floods and typhoid fever and to identify the vulnerable groups in Yongzhou, China. METHODS Weekly typhoid fever data, flood data and meteorological data during the flood season (April to September) from 2005 to 2012 were collected for this study. A Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was conducted to quantify the lagged and cumulative effects of floods on typhoid fever, considering the confounding effects of long-term trend, seasonality, and meteorological variables. The model was also used to calculate risk ratios of floods for weekly typhoid fever cases among various subpopulations. RESULTS After adjusting for long-term trend, seasonality, and meteorological variables, floods were associated with an increased number of typhoid fever cases with a risk ratio of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.10-1.92) at 1-week lag and a cumulative risk ratio of 1.76 (95% CI: 1.21-2.57) at lag 0-1 weeks. Males, people aged 0-4 years old, people aged 15-64 years old, farmers, and children appeared to be more vulnerable than the others. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that floods could significantly increase the risks of typhoid fever with lag effects of 1 week in the study areas. Precautionary measures should be taken with a focus on the identified vulnerable groups in order to control the transmission of typhoid fever associated with floods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahui Lao
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Public Health, China Studies Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yanyu Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Medical Administration, Second Hospital of Shandong University, No. 247 BeiYuan Road, 250033 Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Baofa Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China; Shandong University Climate Change and Health Center, Jinan, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Liu MY, Li QH, Zhang YJ, Ma Y, Liu Y, Feng W, Hou CB, Amsalu E, Li X, Wang W, Li WM, Guo XH. Spatial and temporal clustering analysis of tuberculosis in the mainland of China at the prefecture level, 2005-2015. Infect Dis Poverty 2018; 7:106. [PMID: 30340513 PMCID: PMC6195697 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-018-0490-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the most serious infectious diseases in the mainland of China. So it was urgent for the formulation of more effective measures to prevent and control it. Methods The data of reported TB cases in 340 prefectures from the mainland of China were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention (CISDCP) during January 2005 to December 2015. The Kulldorff’s retrospective space-time scan statistics was used to identify the temporal, spatial and spatio-temporal clusters of reported TB in the mainland of China by using the discrete Poisson probability model. Spatio-temporal clusters of sputum smear-positive (SS+) reported TB and sputum smear-negative (SS-) reported TB were also detected at the prefecture level. Results A total of 10 200 528 reported TB cases were collected from 2005 to 2015 in 340 prefectures, including 5 283 983 SS- TB cases and 4 631 734 SS + TB cases with specific sputum smear results, 284 811 cases without sputum smear test. Significantly TB clustering patterns in spatial, temporal and spatio-temporal were observed in this research. Results of the Kulldorff’s scan found twelve significant space-time clusters of reported TB. The most likely spatio-temporal cluster (RR = 3.27, P < 0.001) was mainly located in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of western China, covering five prefectures and clustering in the time frame from September 2012 to November 2015. The spatio-temporal clustering results of SS+ TB and SS- TB also showed the most likely clusters distributed in the western China. However, the clustering time of SS+ TB was concentrated before 2010 while SS- TB was mainly concentrated after 2010. Conclusions This study identified the time and region of TB, SS+ TB and SS- TB clustered easily in 340 prefectures in the mainland of China, which is helpful in prioritizing resource assignment in high-risk periods and high-risk areas, and to formulate powerful strategy to prevention and control TB. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40249-018-0490-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yang Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Qi-Huan Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Cheng-Bei Hou
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Endawoke Amsalu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, 3086, Australia
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Medical Sciences and Health, Edith Cowan University, WA6027, Perth, Australia
| | - Wei-Min Li
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. .,National Tuberculosis Clinical Laboratory of China, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149, China. .,Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, China.
| | - Xiu-Hua Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China. .,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, China.
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Mason LR, Erwin J, Brown A, Ellis KN, Hathaway JM. Health Impacts of Extreme Weather Events: Exploring Protective Factors with a Capitals Framework. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 15:579-593. [PMID: 30052141 DOI: 10.1080/23761407.2018.1502115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Extreme weather events are increasing with climate change. The physical and mental health of people served by social workers may be especially at risk from these hazards. This exploratory study examines if specific types of human, financial, physical, and social capital are associated with health impacts from excessive summer heat and extreme winter weather. METHOD Data from resident surveys (N = 424) in low- and moderate-income areas of a Southeastern US city are analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression. RESULTS Key findings are that health status and social cohesion are negatively associated with health impacts of summer heat and winter extremes. CONCLUSION Further study is needed of how specific types of capital may help people cope with a changing climate. Social capital may be a particularly relevant area for social work to address within the pressing issue of climate, weather, and the health of vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Reyes Mason
- a College of Social Work , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Jennifer Erwin
- a College of Social Work , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Aaron Brown
- a College of Social Work , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Kelsey N Ellis
- b Department of Geography , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA
| | - Jon M Hathaway
- c Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA
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van Loenhout JAF, Delbiso TD, Kiriliouk A, Rodriguez-Llanes JM, Segers J, Guha-Sapir D. Heat and emergency room admissions in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:108. [PMID: 29304777 PMCID: PMC5756417 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-5021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to a global warming-related increase in heatwaves, it is important to obtain detailed understanding of the relationship between heat and health. We assessed the relationship between heat and urgent emergency room admissions in the Netherlands. Methods We collected daily maximum temperature and relative humidity data over the period 2002–2007. Daily urgent emergency room admissions were divided by sex, age group and disease category. We used distributed lag non-linear Poisson models, estimating temperature-admission associations. We estimated the relative risk (RR) for urgent hospital admissions for a range of temperatures compared to a baseline temperature of 21 °C. In addition, we compared the impact of three different temperature scenarios on admissions using the RR. Results There is a positive relationship between increasing temperatures above 21 °C and the RR for urgent emergency room admissions for the disease categories ‘Potential heat-related diseases’ and ‘Respiratory diseases’. This relationship is strongest in the 85+ group. The RRs are strongest for lag 0. For admissions for ‘circulatory diseases’, there is only a small significant increase of RRs within the 85+ age group for moderate heat, but not for extreme heat. The RRs for a one-day event with extreme heat are comparable to the RRs for multiple-day events with moderate heat. Conclusions Hospitals should adjust the capacity of their emergency departments on warm days, and the days immediately thereafter. The elderly in particular should be targeted through prevention programmes to reduce harmful effects of heat. The fact that this increase in admissions already occurs in temperatures above 21 °C is different from previous findings in warmer countries. Given the similar impact of three consecutive days of moderate heat and one day of extreme heat on admissions, criteria for activation of national heatwave plans need adjustments based on different temperature scenarios. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-017-5021-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris Adriaan Frank van Loenhout
- Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Institute of Health and Society, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, 1200, Woluwé-Saint-Lambert, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Tefera Darge Delbiso
- Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Institute of Health and Society, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, 1200, Woluwé-Saint-Lambert, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anna Kiriliouk
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA), Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | | | - Johan Segers
- Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences (ISBA), Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Debarati Guha-Sapir
- Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Institute of Health and Society, Université catholique de Louvain, Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 30, 1200, Woluwé-Saint-Lambert, Brussels, Belgium
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Allen MJ, Sheridan SC. Mortality risks during extreme temperature events (ETEs) using a distributed lag non-linear model. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2018; 62:57-67. [PMID: 26646668 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-015-1117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between all-cause mortality and extreme temperature events (ETEs) from 1975 to 2004. For 50 U.S. locations, these heat and cold events were defined based on location-specific thresholds of daily mean apparent temperature. Heat days were defined by a 3-day mean apparent temperature greater than the 95th percentile while extreme heat days were greater than the 97.5th percentile. Similarly, calculations for cold and extreme cold days relied upon the 5th and 2.5th percentiles. A distributed lag non-linear model assessed the relationship between mortality and ETEs for a cumulative 14-day period following exposure. Subsets for season and duration effect denote the differences between early- and late-season as well as short and long ETEs. While longer-lasting heat days resulted in elevated mortality, early season events also impacted mortality outcomes. Over the course of the summer season, heat-related risk decreased, though prolonged heat days still had a greater influence on mortality. Unlike heat, cold-related risk was greatest in more southerly locations. Risk was highest for early season cold events and decreased over the course of the winter season. Statistically, short episodes of cold showed the highest relative risk, suggesting unsettled weather conditions may have some relationship to cold-related mortality. For both heat and cold, results indicate higher risk to the more extreme thresholds. Risk values provide further insight into the role of adaptation, geographical variability, and acclimatization with respect to ETEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Allen
- Department of Political Science and Geography, Old Dominion University, 7042 Batten Arts and Letters, Norfolk, VA, 23529, USA.
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Sherbakov T, Malig B, Guirguis K, Gershunov A, Basu R. Ambient temperature and added heat wave effects on hospitalizations in California from 1999 to 2009. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 160:83-90. [PMID: 28964966 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Investigators have examined how heat waves or incremental changes in temperature affect health outcomes, but few have examined both simultaneously. We utilized distributed lag nonlinear models (DLNM) to explore temperature associations and evaluate possible added heat wave effects on hospitalizations in 16 climate zones throughout California from May through October 1999-2009. We define heat waves as a period when daily mean temperatures were above the zone- and month-specific 95th percentile for at least two consecutive days. DLNMs were used to estimate climate zone-specific non-linear temperature and heat wave effects, which were then combined using random effects meta-analysis to produce an overall estimate for each. With higher temperatures, admissions for acute renal failure, appendicitis, dehydration, ischemic stroke, mental health, non-infectious enteritis, and primary diabetes were significantly increased, with added effects from heat waves observed for acute renal failure and dehydration. Higher temperatures also predicted statistically significant decreases in hypertension admissions, respiratory admissions, and respiratory diseases with secondary diagnoses of diabetes, though heat waves independently predicted an added increase in risk for both respiratory types. Our findings provide evidence that both heat wave and temperature exposures can exert effects independently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toki Sherbakov
- University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, Division of Biostatistics, Berkeley, CA, United States; California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Brian Malig
- California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Oakland, CA, United States.
| | - Kristen Guirguis
- University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Alexander Gershunov
- University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Rupa Basu
- California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Air and Climate Epidemiology Section, Oakland, CA, United States
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Trend of Outbreak of Thermal Illness Patients Based on Temperature 2002–2013 in Korea. CLIMATE 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/cli5040094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Xu Z, Crooks JL, Black D, Hu W, Tong S. Heatwave and infants' hospital admissions under different heatwave definitions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 229:525-530. [PMID: 28633120 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Data on the health impacts of heatwaves in infants are limited, and this study aimed to examine how heatwaves affect hospital admissions in infants. METHODS A quasi-Poisson generalized additive model was used to assess the effects of heatwaves on hospital admissions in infants from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2015 in Brisbane, Australia, using a series of heatwave definitions after controlling for possible confounders. A case-only analysis was conducted to examine the possible modification effects of personal and community characteristics on the heatwaves effects on infants' hospital admissions. RESULTS There was no significant increase in infants' hospital admissions when heatwave intensity was defined as mean temperature ≥90th percentile or ≥95th percentile of the mean temperature across the study period. When heatwave intensity increased to ≥97th percentile, infants' hospital admissions increased significantly (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.10), and this increase raised with the increase of heatwave duration. No modification effect of gender, indigenous status, or Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) level on heatwave effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS Infants in Brisbane were sensitive to intense heatwaves, and future heat early warning system based on a local evidence-based heatwave definition is needed to protect infants from heatwave impacts. Community-based heatwave adaptation programs aiming at raising the awareness of the adverse health impacts of intense heatwaves among infants' caregivers may relieve the postnatal health care demand in infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Xu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | | | - Deborah Black
- Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Wenbiao Hu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shilu Tong
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; School of Public Health, Institute of Environment and Human Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University, Shanghai, China
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