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Geronikolou S, Zimeras S, Tsitomeneas S, Chrousos GP. Heatwave 1987: the Piraeus versus Athens case. F1000Res 2024; 12:115. [PMID: 38434656 PMCID: PMC10907872 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.124999.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Heatwaves represent the main indices of climate change, while mortality is one of the established markers of their human effects. For unknown reasons populations adapt to temperature variations/challenges differently. Thus, to allow better precision and prediction, heatwave evaluations should be enriched by historical context and local data. Methods The mortality data for 1987 were collected from the Piraeus municipality registry, whereas data for Athens were obtained from literature retrieved from PUBMED. Ambient characteristics were extracted from the Geronikolou's 1991 BSc thesis and the reports of national organizations. From the death events, the odds ratio and relative risk in Piraeus compared to the Athens were calculated. Finally, a simple neural network proposed the dominant ambient parameter of the heatwave effects in the city residents of each location. Results The 1987 heatwave was more lethal (seven-fold) in Athens than in Piraeus and dependent on atmospheric nitric oxide (NO) concentration (with probability 0.999). In the case of Piraeus in 1987, ozone characterized the phenomenon (with probability 0.993). Conclusions The odds of dying due to a heatwave are highly dependent on lifestyle, population sensitivity to preventive measures and public health policy, while the phenomenon was mainly moderated by ozone in Piraeus in 1987, and NO in Athens irrespective of year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stella Geronikolou
- Clinical, Translational and Experimental Surgery Research Centre, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
- UNESCO Chair of Adolescent Health, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Stelios Zimeras
- Mathematics & Statistics, University of Aegean, Samos, Greece
| | | | - George P Chrousos
- Clinical, Translational and Experimental Surgery Research Centre, Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
- UNESCO Chair of Adolescent Health, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 11527, Greece
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Ballester J, van Daalen KR, Chen ZY, Achebak H, Antó JM, Basagaña X, Robine JM, Herrmann FR, Tonne C, Semenza JC, Lowe R. The effect of temporal data aggregation to assess the impact of changing temperatures in Europe: an epidemiological modelling study. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2024; 36:100779. [PMID: 38188278 PMCID: PMC10769891 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Daily time-series regression models are commonly used to estimate the lagged nonlinear relation between temperature and mortality. A major impediment to this type of analysis is the restricted access to daily health records. The use of weekly and monthly data represents a possible solution unexplored to date. Methods We temporally aggregated daily temperatures and mortality records from 147 contiguous regions in 16 European countries, representing their entire population of over 400 million people. We estimated temperature-lag-mortality relationships by using standard time-series quasi-Poisson regression models applied to daily data, and compared the results with those obtained with different degrees of temporal aggregation. Findings We observed progressively larger differences in the epidemiological estimates with the degree of temporal data aggregation. The daily data model estimated an annual cold and heat-related mortality of 290,104 (213,745-359,636) and 39,434 (30,782-47,084) deaths, respectively, and the weekly model underestimated these numbers by 8.56% and 21.56%. Importantly, differences were systematically smaller during extreme cold and heat periods, such as the summer of 2003, with an underestimation of only 4.62% in the weekly data model. We applied this framework to infer that the heat-related mortality burden during the year 2022 in Europe may have exceeded the 70,000 deaths. Interpretation The present work represents a first reference study validating the use of weekly time series as an approximation to the short-term effects of cold and heat on human mortality. This approach can be adopted to complement access-restricted data networks, and facilitate data access for research, translation and policy-making. Funding The study was supported by the ERC Consolidator Grant EARLY-ADAPT (https://www.early-adapt.eu/), and the ERC Proof-of-Concept Grants HHS-EWS and FORECAST-AIR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhao-Yue Chen
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Hicham Achebak
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Inserm, France Cohortes, Paris, France
| | - Josep M. Antó
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Basagaña
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jean-Marie Robine
- MMDN, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
- EPHE, Inserm, Montpellier, France
- PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - François R. Herrmann
- Medical School of the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Thônex, Switzerland
| | - Cathryn Tonne
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jan C. Semenza
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rachel Lowe
- Barcelona Supercomputing Center, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
- Centre on Climate Change & Planetary Health and Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Krummenauer L, Costa L, Prahl BF, Kropp JP. Future heat adaptation and exposure among urban populations and why a prospering economy alone won't save us. Sci Rep 2021; 11:20309. [PMID: 34645902 PMCID: PMC8514539 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99757-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
When inferring on the magnitude of future heat-related mortality due to climate change, human adaptation to heat should be accounted for. We model long-term changes in minimum mortality temperatures (MMT), a well-established metric denoting the lowest risk of heat-related mortality, as a function of climate change and socio-economic progress across 3820 cities. Depending on the combination of climate trajectories and socio-economic pathways evaluated, by 2100 the risk to human health is expected to decline in 60% to 80% of the cities against contemporary conditions. This is caused by an average global increase in MMTs driven by long-term human acclimatisation to future climatic conditions and economic development of countries. While our adaptation model suggests that negative effects on health from global warming can broadly be kept in check, the trade-offs are highly contingent to the scenario path and location-specific. For high-forcing climate scenarios (e.g. RCP8.5) the maintenance of uninterrupted high economic growth by 2100 is a hard requirement to increase MMTs and level-off the negative health effects from additional scenario-driven heat exposure. Choosing a 2 °C-compatible climate trajectory alleviates the dependence on fast growth, leaving room for a sustainable economy, and leads to higher reductions of mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Krummenauer
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, RD2 Climate Resilience, Potsdam, 14412, Germany. .,Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany.
| | - Luís Costa
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, RD2 Climate Resilience, Potsdam, 14412, Germany
| | - Boris F Prahl
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, RD2 Climate Resilience, Potsdam, 14412, Germany
| | - Jürgen P Kropp
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, RD2 Climate Resilience, Potsdam, 14412, Germany.,Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
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Infusino E, Caloiero T, Fusto F, Calderaro G, Brutto A, Tagarelli G. Characterization of the 2017 Summer Heat Waves and Their Effects on the Population of an Area of Southern Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18030970. [PMID: 33499298 PMCID: PMC7908494 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18030970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge of bioclimatic comfort is paramount for improving people’s quality of life. To this purpose, several studies related to climatic comfort/discomfort have been recently published. These studies mainly focus on the analysis of temperature and relative humidity, i.e., the main variables influencing the environmental stress in the human body. In this context, the present work aims to analyze the number of visits to the hospital emergency department made by the inhabitants of the Crati River valley (Calabria region, southern Italy) during the heat waves that accompanied the African anticyclone in the summer of 2017. The analysis of the bioclimatic comfort was performed using the humidity index. Results showed that greater the index, the higher the number of accesses to the emergency department, in particular by the most vulnerable population groups, such as children and the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Infusino
- Department of Environmental Engineering (DIAm), University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci 41C, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Caloiero
- National Research Council—Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in Mediterranean (CNR—ISAFOM), Via Cavour 4/6, 87036 Rende, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0984-841-464
| | - Francesco Fusto
- Multi-Risk Functional Center, Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Calabria, Viale degli Angioini 143, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Gianfranco Calderaro
- Health Protection Department of the Calabria Region, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Angelo Brutto
- Health Protection Department of the Calabria Region, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.C.); (A.B.)
| | - Giuseppe Tagarelli
- National Research Council—Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in Mediterranean (CNR—ISAFOM), Via Cavour 4/6, 87036 Rende, Italy;
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Dohmen LME, Spigt M, Melbye H. The effect of atmospheric pressure on oxygen saturation and dyspnea: the Tromsø study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2020; 64:1103-1110. [PMID: 32125519 PMCID: PMC7295717 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-01883-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A drop in atmospheric pressure, as observed at high altitudes, leads to decreased oxygen saturation. The effect of regular changes in barometric pressure at sea level has never been studied in a general population. A cohort of adults aged 40 years were examined with pulse oximetry at two separate visits, and the local barometric pressure was available from the local weather station. The study aimed at determining the effect of atmospheric pressure on oxygen saturation also called SpO2, as well as on shortness of breath. Based on spirometry, the participants were divided into two groups, with normal and decreased lung function. Decreased lung function was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) below lower limit or normal (LLN) or FEV1/FVC (FVC, forced vital capacity) below LLN, with GLI 2012 reference values. The statistical analysis included uni/multivariable linear and logistic regression. A total of 7439 participants of the Tromsø 7 cohort study were included. There was a significant association between barometric pressure and SpO2 < 96%, and we found that a reduction of 166.67 hPa was needed to get a 1% reduction in SpO2. The change in atmospheric pressure was not significantly associated with shortness of breath, also not in subjects with reduced lung function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M E Dohmen
- Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Spigt
- Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Hasse Melbye
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Community Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Li B, Du C, Liu H, Yu W, Zheng J, Tan M, Jin Z, Li W, Wu J, Chen L, Yao R. Regulation of sensory nerve conduction velocity of human bodies responding to annual temperature variations in natural environments. INDOOR AIR 2019; 29:308-319. [PMID: 30506551 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The extensive research interests in environmental temperature can be linked to human productivity/performance as well as comfort and health; while the mechanisms of physiological indices responding to temperature variations remain incompletely understood. This study adopted a physiological sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV) as a temperature-sensitive biomarker to explore the thermoregulatory mechanisms of human responding to annual temperatures. The measurements of subjects' SCV (over 600 samples) were conducted in a naturally ventilated environment over all four seasons. The results showed a positive correlation between SCV and annual temperatures and a Boltzmann model was adopted to depict the S-shaped trend of SCV with operative temperatures from 5°C to 40°C. The SCV increased linearly with operative temperatures from 14.28°C to 20.5°C and responded sensitively for 10.19°C-24.59°C, while tended to be stable beyond that. The subjects' thermal sensations were linearly related to SCV, elaborating the relation between human physiological regulations and subjective thermal perception variations. The findings reveal the body SCV regulatory characteristics in different operative temperature intervals, thereby giving a deeper insight into human autonomic thermoregulation and benefiting for built environment designs, meantime minimizing the temperature-invoked risks to human health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baizhan Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chenqiu Du
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Yu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Meilan Tan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenxing Jin
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Runming Yao
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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The Impact of Heat Waves on Emergency Department Admissions in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15071436. [PMID: 29986505 PMCID: PMC6068980 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Heat waves have been linked to increases in emergency-related morbidity, but more research is needed on the demographic and disease-specific aspects of these morbidities. Using a case-crossover approach, over 700,000 daily emergency department hospital admissions in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A. from 2005–2016 are compared between warm season heat wave and non-heat wave periods. Heat waves are defined based on the exceedance, for at least three consecutive days, of two apparent temperature thresholds (35 °C and 37 °C) that account for 3 and 6% of the period of record. Total admissions and admissions for whites, blacks, males, females, and 20–49 years old are significantly elevated during heat waves, as are admissions related to a variety of diagnostic categories, including diabetes, pregnancy complications, and injuries and poisoning. Evidence that heat waves raise emergency department admissions across numerous demographic and disease categories suggests that heat exerts comorbidity influences that extend beyond the more well-studied direct relationships such as heat strokes and cardiac arrest.
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Perčič S, Kukec A, Cegnar T, Hojs A. Number of Heat Wave Deaths by Diagnosis, Sex, Age Groups, and Area, in Slovenia, 2015 vs. 2003. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15010173. [PMID: 29361792 PMCID: PMC5800272 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Number of deaths increases during periods of elevated heat. Objectives: To examine whether differences in heat-related deaths between 2003 and 2015 occurred in Slovenia. Materials and Methods: We estimated relative risks for deaths for the observed diagnoses, sex, age, and area, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess deaths associated with heat waves occurring in 2015 and 2003. For comparison between 2015 and 2003, we calculated relative risks ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Statistically significant in 2015 were the following: age group 75+, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.00–1.22); all population, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.30) and age group 75+, diseases of circulatory system (RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.34). Statistically significant in 2003 were the following: female, age group 5–74, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.62). Discussion: Comparison between 2015 and 2003, all, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.55); male, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.41–2.43); all, age group 75+ circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.69); male, age group 75+, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.25) and female, age group 75+, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.08–1.89). Conclusions: Public health efforts are urgent and should address circulatory system causes and old age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Perčič
- Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health Slovenia, Zaloška 29, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Andreja Kukec
- Department for Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Tanja Cegnar
- Slovenian Environment Agency, Vojkova cesta 1b, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ana Hojs
- Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health Slovenia, Zaloška 29, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Nastos PT, Polychroni ID. Modeling and in situ measurements of biometeorological conditions in microenvironments within the Athens University Campus, Greece. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2016; 60:1463-1479. [PMID: 26850103 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-016-1137-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this research is to assess and analyze the biometeorological perception in complex microenvironments in the Athens University Campus (AUC) using urban micromodels, such as RayMan. The human thermal sensation in such a place was considered of great significance due to the great gathering of student body and staff of the University. The quantification of the biometeorological conditions was succeeded by the estimation of the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), which is a biometeorological index based on the human energy balance. We carried out, on one hand, field measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and global solar irradiance for different sites (building atrium, open area, and green atrium) of the examined microurban environment in order to calculate PET during January-July 2013. Additionally, on the other hand, PET modeling was performed using different sky-view factors and was compared to a reference site (meteorological station of Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, University of Athens). The global radiation was transferred to the examined sites with the RayMan model, which considers the sky-view factors for the adaptation of the radiation fluxes to simple and complex environments. The results of this study reveal the crucial importance of the existence of trees and green cover in a complex environment, as a factor that could be the solution to the efforts of stake holders in order to mitigate strong heat stress and improve people's living quality in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis T Nastos
- Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Geography and Climatology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, GR 157 84, Athens, Greece.
| | - Iliana D Polychroni
- Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment, Department of Geography and Climatology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, GR 157 84, Athens, Greece
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10
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Dynamic assessment of exposure to air pollution using mobile phone data. Int J Health Geogr 2016; 15:14. [PMID: 27097526 PMCID: PMC4839157 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-016-0042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exposure to air pollution can have major health impacts, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Traditionally, only the air pollution concentration at the home location is taken into account in health impact assessments and epidemiological studies. Neglecting individual travel patterns can lead to a bias in air pollution exposure assessments. Methods In this work, we present a novel approach to calculate the daily exposure to air pollution using mobile phone data of approximately 5 million mobile phone users living in Belgium. At present, this data is collected and stored by telecom operators mainly for management of the mobile network. Yet it represents a major source of information in the study of human mobility. We calculate the exposure to NO2 using two approaches: assuming people stay at home the entire day (traditional static approach), and incorporating individual travel patterns using their location inferred from their use of the mobile phone network (dynamic approach). Results The mean exposure to NO2 increases with 1.27 μg/m3 (4.3 %) during the week and with 0.12 μg/m3 (0.4 %) during the weekend when incorporating individual travel patterns. During the week, mostly people living in municipalities surrounding larger cities experience the highest increase in NO2 exposure when incorporating their travel patterns, probably because most of them work in these larger cities with higher NO2 concentrations. Conclusions It is relevant for health impact assessments and epidemiological studies to incorporate individual travel patterns in estimating air pollution exposure. Mobile phone data is a promising data source to determine individual travel patterns, because of the advantages (e.g. low costs, large sample size, passive data collection) compared to travel surveys, GPS, and smartphone data (i.e. data captured by applications on smartphones).
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11
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Hyrkäs H, Ikäheimo TM, Jaakkola JJK, Jaakkola MS. Asthma control and cold weather-related respiratory symptoms. Respir Med 2016; 113:1-7. [PMID: 27021573 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the northern hemisphere people are exposed recurrently to cold air and asthmatics experience more respiratory symptoms. We hypothesized that subjects with poor asthma control are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms than those with good asthma control. METHODS A population-based cross-sectional study of 1995 adult asthmatics (response rate 40.4%) living in the Northern Finland was conducted using a questionnaire where cold weather-related respiratory symptoms as well as questions related to asthma control were inquired. The Asthma Control Test (ACT) was defined based on five questions (disadvantage and occurrence of asthma symptoms, waking up because of asthma symptoms, use of rescue medication and self-assessment of asthma control during the past 4 weeks), and was divided into quartiles. RESULTS Cold weather-related respiratory symptoms were more frequent among asthmatics with poorly controlled asthma (ACT Q1 vs. ACT Q4); adjusted prevalence ratio (PR) for shortness of breath (men 1.47, 95% confidence interval 1.22-1.77; women 1.18, 1.07-1.30), cough (men 1.10, 0.91-1.34; women 1.18, 1.08-1.30), wheezing (men 1.91, 1.31-2.78; women 1.48, 1.17-1.87), phlegm production (men 1.51, 1.06-2.14; women 1.62, 1.27-2.08) and chest pain (men 4.47, 1.89-10.56; women 2.60, 1.64-4.12). The relations between asthma control and symptom occurrence seemed stronger among smokers than never smokers and subjects with body mass index (BMI) below and above 25-30. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides new evidence that subjects whose asthma is poorly controlled are more prone to experience cold weather-related respiratory symptoms and even a slight worsening of asthma control increases symptom prevalences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Hyrkäs
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
| | - Tiina M Ikäheimo
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
| | - Jouni J K Jaakkola
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
| | - Maritta S Jaakkola
- Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, FI-90014 Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
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12
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Witt C, Schubert AJ, Jehn M, Holzgreve A, Liebers U, Endlicher W, Scherer D. The Effects of Climate Change on Patients With Chronic Lung Disease. A Systematic Literature Review. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 112:878-83. [PMID: 26900154 PMCID: PMC4736555 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2015.0878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 09/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ever since higher overall mortality rates due to heat stress were reported during the European heat waves of 2003 and 2006, the relation between heat waves and disease-specific events has been an object of scientific study. The effects of heat waves on the morbidity and mortality of persons with chronic lung disease remain unclear. METHODS We conducted a systematic search using PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Google Advanced Search to identify relevant studies published between 1990 and 2015. The reference lists of the primarily included articles were searched for further pertinent articles. All articles were selected according to the PRISMA guidelines. The heat-wave-related relative excess mortality was descriptively expressed as a mean daily rate ratio ([incidence 1]/[incidence 2]), and the cumulative excess risk (CER) was expressed in percent. RESULTS 33 studies with evaluable raw data concerning the effect of heat waves on patients with chronic lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) were analyzed in this review. By deriving statistics from the overall data set, we arrived at the conclusion that future heat waves will-with at least 90% probability-result in a mean daily excess mortality (expressed as a rate ratio) of at least 1.018, and-with 50% probability-in a mean daily excess mortality of at least 1.028. These figures correspond, respectively, to 1.8% and 2.8% rises in the daily risk of death. CONCLUSION Heat waves significantly increase morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic lung disease. The argument that the excess mortality during heat waves is compensated for by a decrease in mortality in the subsequent weeks/months (mortality displacement) should not be used as an excuse for delay in implementing adaptive strategies to protect lung patients from this risk to their health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Witt
- Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- These authors share first authorship
| | - André Jean Schubert
- Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- These authors share first authorship
| | - Melissa Jehn
- Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
| | | | - Uta Liebers
- Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin
| | - Wilfried Endlicher
- Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; on behalf of the KLIMZUG Research Group, Berlin
| | - Dieter Scherer
- Department of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin; on behalf of the UCaSH Research Unit, Berlin
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13
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Rodopoulou S, Samoli E, Analitis A, Atkinson RW, de'Donato FK, Katsouyanni K. Searching for the best modeling specification for assessing the effects of temperature and humidity on health: a time series analysis in three European cities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2015; 59:1585-96. [PMID: 25638489 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-015-0965-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Revised: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological time series studies suggest daily temperature and humidity are associated with adverse health effects including increased mortality and hospital admissions. However, there is no consensus over which metric or lag best describes the relationships. We investigated which temperature and humidity model specification most adequately predicted mortality in three large European cities. Daily counts of all-cause mortality, minimum, maximum and mean temperature and relative humidity and apparent temperature (a composite measure of ambient and dew point temperature) were assembled for Athens, London, and Rome for 6 years between 1999 and 2005. City-specific Poisson regression models were fitted separately for warm (April-September) and cold (October-March) periods adjusting for seasonality, air pollution, and public holidays. We investigated goodness of model fit for each metric for delayed effects up to 13 days using three model fit criteria: sum of the partial autocorrelation function, AIC, and GCV. No uniformly best index for all cities and seasonal periods was observed. The effects of temperature were uniformly shown to be more prolonged during cold periods and the majority of models suggested separate temperature and humidity variables performed better than apparent temperature in predicting mortality. Our study suggests that the nature of the effects of temperature and humidity on mortality vary between cities for unknown reasons which require further investigation but may relate to city-specific population, socioeconomic, and environmental characteristics. This may have consequences on epidemiological studies and local temperature-related warning systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Rodopoulou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Samoli
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonis Analitis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 115 27, Athens, Greece
| | - Richard W Atkinson
- Population Health Research Institute and MRC-PHE Centre for Environment and Health, St George's, University of London, London, UK
| | | | - Klea Katsouyanni
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Str, 115 27, Athens, Greece.
- Environmental Research Group and Department of Primary Care & Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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14
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Ravljen M, Bilban M, Kajfež-Bogataj L, Hovelja T, Vavpotič D. Influence of daily individual meteorological parameters on the incidence of acute coronary syndrome. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:11616-26. [PMID: 25396770 PMCID: PMC4245633 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111111616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A nationwide study was conducted to explore the short term association between daily individual meteorological parameters and the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with coronary emergency catheter interventions in the Republic of Slovenia, a south-central European country. METHOD We linked meteorological data with daily ACS incidence for the entire population of Slovenia, for the population over 65 years of age and for the population under 65 years of age. Data were collected daily for a period of 4 years from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011. In line with existing studies, we used a main effect generalized linear model with a log-link-function and a Poisson distribution of ACS. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Three of the studied meteorological factors (daily average temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity) all have relevant and significant influences on ACS incidences for the entire population. However, the ACS incidence for the population over 65 is only affected by daily average temperature, while the ACS incidence for the population under 65 is affected by daily average pressure and humidity. In terms of ambient temperature, the overall findings of our study are in line with the findings of the majority of contemporary European studies, which also note a negative correlation. The results regarding atmospheric pressure and humidity are less in line, due to considerable variations in results. Additionally, the number of available European studies on atmospheric pressure and humidity is relatively low. The fourth studied variable-season-does not influence ACS incidence in a statistically significant way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjam Ravljen
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Marjan Bilban
- Institute of Occupational Safety, Chengdujska Cesta 25, SI-1260 Ljubljana-Polje, Slovenia.
| | - Lučka Kajfež-Bogataj
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Tomaž Hovelja
- Information Systems Laboratory, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Damjan Vavpotič
- Information Systems Laboratory, Faculty of Computer and Information Science, University of Ljubljana, Tržaška 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Wang L, Tong S, Toloo GS, Yu W. Submicrometer particles and their effects on the association between air temperature and mortality in Brisbane, Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 128:70-77. [PMID: 24374253 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Air temperature and pollution can jointly affect human health. Submicrometer particles appearing to have particularly harmful effects compared with the coarse ones. However, little is known about how the association between temperature and mortality is affected by these particles. This study examined the association between air temperature and mortality before and after adjustment for particle concentrations among different age and disease groups from 1995 to 2000 in Brisbane, Australia. The monitoring of particle size distribution within the 15-750nm range was carried out by a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer. Corresponding climate and air pollutant data were collected from relevant government agencies. The association between temperature and mortality was quantified using a Poisson time-series model within a distributed lag non-linear modelling framework. The results showed that the effects of air temperature on mortality were lower among the elderly and people with respiratory diseases, and greater among people with cardiovascular diseases after controlling for submicrometer particle concentrations. Submicrometer particles seem to be an important confounder for the temperature-mortality relationship, particularly among vulnerable groups, and should be taken into account when assessing the impacts of air temperature on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shilu Tong
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ghasem Sam Toloo
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Weiwei Yu
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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16
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Jehn M, Donaldson G, Kiran B, Liebers U, Mueller K, Scherer D, Endlicher W, Witt C. Tele-monitoring reduces exacerbation of COPD in the context of climate change--a randomized controlled trial. Environ Health 2013; 12:99. [PMID: 24261700 PMCID: PMC3883526 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-12-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/15/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A home based tele-monitoring system was developed to assess the effects of heat stress (days > 25°C) on clinical and functional status in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS Sixty-two COPD patients (GOLD II-IV) were randomized into a tele-monitoring Group (TG, N = 32) or Control Group (CG, N = 30). Tele-monitoring included 1) daily clinical status (COPD Assessment Test-CAT), 2) daily lung function and 3) weekly 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Duration of monitoring lasted a total of nine months (9 M). RESULTS From June 1st-August 31st 2012, 32 days with heat stress (29.0 ± 2.5°C) were recorded and matched with 32 thermal comfort days (21.0 ± 2.9°C). During heat stress, the TG showed a significant reduction in lung function and exercise capacity (FEV1% predicted: 51.1 ± 7.2 vs. 57.7 ± 5.0%; P <0.001 and 6MWT performance: 452 ± 85 vs. 600 ± 76 steps; P <0.001) and increase in CAT scores (19.2 ± 7.9 vs. 16.2 ± 7.2; P <0.001).Over summer, significantly fewer TG patients suffered exacerbation of COPD compared to CG patients (3 vs. 14; P = 0.006). Over entire 9 M follow-up, the TG group had fewer exacerbations compared to CG (7 vs. 22; P = 0.012), shorter cumulative hospital stay (34 vs. 97 days) and 43% fewer specialist consultations (24. vs. 42; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION Heat stress affects clinical and functional status in COPD. Tele-monitoring reduces exacerbation frequency and health care utilization during heat stress and other periods of the year. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS-ID DRK00000705.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Jehn
- Division of Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gavin Donaldson
- Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Royal Free & UCL Medical School, London, UK
| | - Bahar Kiran
- Division of Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uta Liebers
- Division of Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Mueller
- Institut for Social Economy, Leibniz-Zentrum für Agrarlandschaftsforschung e.V.; on behalf of the KLIMZUG Research Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Scherer
- Department of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin; on behalf of the UCaSH Research Unit, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wilfried Endlicher
- Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; on behalf of the KLIMZUG Research Group, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Witt
- Division of Pneumological Oncology and Transplantology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Asthma and allergic rhinitis increase respiratory symptoms in cold weather among young adults. Respir Med 2013; 108:63-70. [PMID: 24239316 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2013.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence of cold temperature-related symptoms has not been investigated previously in young adults, although cold weather may provoke severe symptoms leading to activity limitations, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions may form a susceptible group. We tested the hypothesis that young adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis experience cold-related respiratory symptoms more commonly than young adults in general. METHODS A population-based study of 1623 subjects 20-27 years old was conducted with a questionnaire inquiring about cold weather-related respiratory symptoms, doctor-diagnosed asthma and rhinitis, and lifestyle and environmental exposures. RESULTS Current asthma increased the risk of all cold weather-related symptoms (shortness of breath adjusted PR 4.53, 95% confidence interval 2.93-6.99, wheezing 10.70, 5.38-21.29, phlegm production 2.51, 1.37-4.62, cough 3.41, 1.97-5.87 and chest pain 2.53, 0.82-7.79). Allergic rhinitis had additional effect especially on shortness of breath (7.16, 5.30-9.67) and wheezing (13.05, 7.75-22.00), some on phlegm production (3.69, 2.49-5.47), but marginal effect on cough and chest pain. INTERPRETATION Our study shows that already in young adulthood those with asthma, and especially those with coexisting allergic rhinitis, experience substantially more cold temperature-related respiratory symptoms than healthy young adults. Hence, young adults with a respiratory disease form a susceptible group that needs special care and guidance for coping with cold weather.
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18
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Anderson GB, Bell ML, Peng RD. Methods to calculate the heat index as an exposure metric in environmental health research. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2013; 121:1111-9. [PMID: 23934704 PMCID: PMC3801457 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1206273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental health research employs a variety of metrics to measure heat exposure, both to directly study the health effects of outdoor temperature and to control for temperature in studies of other environmental exposures, including air pollution. To measure heat exposure, environmental health studies often use heat index, which incorporates both air temperature and moisture. However, the method of calculating heat index varies across environmental studies, which could mean that studies using different algorithms to calculate heat index may not be comparable. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS We investigated 21 separate heat index algorithms found in the literature to determine a) whether different algorithms generate heat index values that are consistent with the theoretical concepts of apparent temperature and b) whether different algorithms generate similar heat index values. RESULTS Although environmental studies differ in how they calculate heat index values, most studies' heat index algorithms generate values consistent with apparent temperature. Additionally, most different algorithms generate closely correlated heat index values. However, a few algorithms are potentially problematic, especially in certain weather conditions (e.g., very low relative humidity, cold weather). To aid environmental health researchers, we have created open-source software in R to calculate the heat index using the U.S. National Weather Service's algorithm. CONCLUSION We identified 21 separate heat index algorithms used in environmental research. Our analysis demonstrated that methods to calculate heat index are inconsistent across studies. Careful choice of a heat index algorithm can help ensure reproducible and consistent environmental health research.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Brooke Anderson
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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19
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Lin YK, Wang YC, Lin PL, Li MH, Ho TJ. Relationships between cold-temperature indices and all causes and cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality in a subtropical island. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 461-462:627-35. [PMID: 23764675 PMCID: PMC7126292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2012] [Revised: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify optimal cold-temperature indices that are associated with the elevated risks of mortality from, and outpatient visits for all causes and cardiopulmonary diseases during the cold seasons (November to April) from 2000 to 2008 in Northern, Central and Southern Taiwan. Eight cold-temperature indices, average, maximum, and minimum temperatures, and the temperature humidity index, wind chill index, apparent temperature, effective temperature (ET), and net effective temperature and their standardized Z scores were applied to distributed lag non-linear models. Index-specific cumulative 26-day (lag 0-25) mortality risk, cumulative 8-day (lag 0-7) outpatient visit risk, and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated at 1 and 2 standardized deviations below the median temperature, comparing with the Z score of the lowest risks for mortality and outpatient visits. The average temperature was adequate to evaluate the mortality risk from all causes and circulatory diseases. Excess all-cause mortality increased for 17-24% when average temperature was at Z=-1, and for 27-41% at Z=-2 among study areas. The cold-temperature indices were inconsistent in estimating risk of outpatient visits. Average temperature and THI were appropriate indices for measuring risk for all-cause outpatient visits. Relative risk of all-cause outpatient visits increased slightly by 2-7% when average temperature was at Z=-1, but no significant risk at Z=-2. Minimum temperature estimated the strongest risk associated with outpatient visits of respiratory diseases. In conclusion, the relationships between cold temperatures and health varied among study areas, types of health event, and the cold-temperature indices applied. Mortality from all causes and circulatory diseases and outpatient visits of respiratory diseases has a strong association with cold temperatures in the subtropical island, Taiwan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kai Lin
- Environmental and Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei 10055, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chun Wang
- Department of Bioenvironmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, 200 Chung-Pei Road, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: + 886 3 265 4916; fax: + 886 3 265 4949.
| | - Pay-Liam Lin
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Road, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsu Li
- Graduate Institute of Hydrological & Oceanic Sciences, National Central University, 300 Jhongda Road, Jhongli City, Taoyuan County 32001, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Jung Ho
- The Division of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, 91 Xueshi Road, Taichung City 404, Taiwan
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20
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Baccini M, Kosatsky T, Biggeri A. Impact of summer heat on urban population mortality in Europe during the 1990s: an evaluation of years of life lost adjusted for harvesting. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69638. [PMID: 23894516 PMCID: PMC3718689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Efforts to prevent and respond to heat-related illness would benefit by quantifying the impact of summer heat on acute population mortality. We estimated years of life lost due to heat in 14 European cities during the 1990s accounting for harvesting. Methods We combined the number of deaths attributable to heat estimated by the PHEWE project with life expectancy derived from population life tables. The degree of harvesting was quantified by comparing the cumulative effect of heat up to lagged day 30 with the immediate effect of heat, by geographical region and age. Next, an evaluation of years of life lost adjusted for harvesting was obtained. Results Without accounting for harvesting, we estimated more than 23,000 years of life lost per year, 55% of which was among individuals younger than 75. When 30 day mortality displacement was taken into account, the overall impact reduced on average by 75%. Harvesting was more pronounced in North-continental cities than in Mediterranean cities and was stronger among young people than among elderly. Conclusions High ambient temperatures during summer were responsible for many deaths in European cities during the 1990s, but a large percentage of these deaths likely involved frail persons whose demise was only briefly hastened by heat exposure. Differences in harvesting across regions and classes of age could reflect different proportions of frail individuals in the population or could be indicative of heterogeneous dynamics underlying the entry and exit of individuals from the high-risk pool which is subject to mortality displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Baccini
- Department of Statistics, Informatics and Applications G. Parenti, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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21
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Chebana F, Martel B, Gosselin P, Giroux JX, Ouarda TBMJ. A general and flexible methodology to define thresholds for heat health watch and warning systems, applied to the province of Québec (Canada). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2013; 57:631-44. [PMID: 23100100 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-012-0590-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 08/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Several watch and warning systems have been established in the world in recent years to prevent the effects of heat waves. However, many of these approaches can be applied only in regions with perfect conditions (e.g., enough data, stationary series or homogeneous regions). Furthermore, a number of these approaches do not account for possible trend in mortality and/or temperature series, whereas others are generally not adapted to regions with low population densities or low daily mortality levels. In addition, prediction based on multiple days preceding the event can be less accurate if it attributes the same importance to each of these days, since the forecasting accuracy actually decreases with the period. The aim of the present study was to identify appropriate indicators as well as flexible and general thresholds that can be applied to a variety of regions and conditions. From a practical point of view, the province of Québec constitutes a typical case where a number of the above-mentioned constraints are present. On the other hand, until recently, the province's watch and warning system was based on a study conducted in 2005, covering only the city of Montreal and applied to the whole province. The proposed approach is applied to each one of the other health regions of the province often experiencing low daily counts of mortality and presenting trends. The first constraint led to grouping meteorologically homogeneous regions across the province in which the number of deaths is sufficient to carry out the appropriate data analyses. In each region, mortality trends are taken into account. In addition, the proposed indicators are defined by a 3-day weighted mean of maximal and minimal temperatures. The sensitivity of the results to the inclusion of traumatic deaths is also checked. The application shows that the proposed method improved the results in terms of sensitivity, specificity and number of yearly false alarms, compared to those of the existing and other classical approaches. An additional criterion based on the Humidex is applied in a second step and a local validation is applied to historical observations at reference forecasting stations. An integrated heat health watch and warning system with thresholds that are adapted to the regional climate has thus been established for each sub-region of the province of Quebec and became operational in June 2010.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateh Chebana
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique/INRS-ETE, 490 de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada, G1K 9A9.
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Kravchenko J, Abernethy AP, Fawzy M, Lyerly HK. Minimization of heatwave morbidity and mortality. Am J Prev Med 2013; 44:274-82. [PMID: 23415125 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2012.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2012] [Revised: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 11/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Global climate change is projected to increase the frequency and duration of periods of extremely high temperatures. Both the general populace and public health authorities often underestimate the impact of high temperatures on human health. To highlight the vulnerable populations and illustrate approaches to minimization of health impacts of extreme heat, the authors reviewed the studies of heat-related morbidity and mortality for high-risk populations in the U.S. and Europe from 1958 to 2012. Heat exposure not only can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke but also can exacerbate a wide range of medical conditions. Vulnerable populations, such as older adults; children; outdoor laborers; some racial and ethnic subgroups (particularly those with low SES); people with chronic diseases; and those who are socially or geographically isolated, have increased morbidity and mortality during extreme heat. In addition to ambient temperature, heat-related health hazards are exacerbated by air pollution, high humidity, and lack of air-conditioning. Consequently, a comprehensive approach to minimize the health effects of extreme heat is required and must address educating the public of the risks and optimizing heatwave response plans, which include improving access to environmentally controlled public havens, adaptation of social services to address the challenges required during extreme heat, and consistent monitoring of morbidity and mortality during periods of extreme temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kravchenko
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Alam N, Lindeboom W, Begum D, Streatfield PK. The association of weather and mortality in Bangladesh from 1983-2009. Glob Health Action 2012. [PMID: 23195512 PMCID: PMC3508913 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v5i0.19121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The association of weather and mortality have not been widely studied in subtropical monsoon regions, particularly in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the association of weather and mortality (measured with temperature and rainfall), adjusting for time trend and seasonal patterns in Abhoynagar, Bangladesh. Material and methods A sample vital registration system (SVRS) was set up in 1982 to facilitate operational research in family planning and maternal and child health. SVRS provided data on death counts and population from 1983–2009. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department provided data on daily temperature and rainfall for the same period. Time series Poisson regression with cubic spline functions was used, allowing for over-dispersion, including lagged weather parameters, and adjusting for time trends and seasonal patterns. Analysis was carried out using R statistical software. Results Both weekly mean temperature and rainfall showed strong seasonal patterns. After adjusting for seasonal pattern and time trend, weekly mean temperatures (lag 0) below the 25th percentile and between the 25th and 75th percentiles were associated with increased mortality risk, particularly in females and adults aged 20–59 years by 2.3–2.4% for every 1°C decrease. Temperature above the 75th percentile did not increase the risk. Every 1 mm increase in rainfall up to 14 mm of weekly average rainfall over lag 0–4 weeks was associated with decreased mortality risks. Rainfall above 14 mm was associated with increased mortality risk. Conclusion The relationships between temperature, rainfall and mortality reveal the importance of understanding the current factors contributing to adaptation and acclimatization, and how these can be enhanced to reduce negative impacts from weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Alam
- Centre for Population, Urbanization and Climate Change, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
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Yu W, Mengersen K, Wang X, Ye X, Guo Y, Pan X, Tong S. Daily average temperature and mortality among the elderly: a meta-analysis and systematic review of epidemiological evidence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2012; 56:569-581. [PMID: 21975970 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-011-0497-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2011] [Revised: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The impact of climate change on the health of vulnerable groups such as the elderly has been of increasing concern. However, to date there has been no meta-analysis of current literature relating to the effects of temperature fluctuations upon mortality amongst the elderly. We synthesised risk estimates of the overall impact of daily mean temperature on elderly mortality across different continents. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and PubMed to identify papers published up to December 2010. Selection criteria including suitable temperature indicators, endpoints, study-designs and identification of threshold were used. A two-stage Bayesian hierarchical model was performed to summarise the percent increase in mortality with a 1°C temperature increase (or decrease) with 95% confidence intervals in hot (or cold) days, with lagged effects also measured. Fifteen studies met the eligibility criteria and almost 13 million elderly deaths were included in this meta-analysis. In total, there was a 2-5% increase for a 1°C increment during hot temperature intervals, and a 1-2 % increase in all-cause mortality for a 1°C decrease during cold temperature intervals. Lags of up to 9 days in exposure to cold temperature intervals were substantially associated with all-cause mortality, but no substantial lagged effects were observed for hot intervals. Thus, both hot and cold temperatures substantially increased mortality among the elderly, but the magnitude of heat-related effects seemed to be larger than that of cold effects within a global context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yu
- School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Brisbane, Australia.
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Tobias A, Armstrong B, Zuza I, Gasparrini A, Linares C, Diaz J. Mortality on extreme heat days using official thresholds in Spain: a multi-city time series analysis. BMC Public Health 2012; 12:133. [PMID: 22340020 PMCID: PMC3314548 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 02/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The 2003 heat wave had a high impact on mortality in Europe, which made necessary to develop heat health watch warning systems. In Spain this was carried-out by the Ministry of Health in 2004, being based on exceeding of city-specific simultaneous thresholds of minimum and maximum daily temperatures. The aim of this study is to assess effectiveness of the official thresholds established by the Ministry of Health for each provincial capital city, by quantifying and comparing the short-term effects of above-threshold days on total daily mortality. Methods Total daily mortality and minimum and maximum temperatures for the 52 capitals of province in Spain were collected during summer months (June to September) for the study period 1995-2004. Data was analysed using GEE for Poisson regression. Relative Risk (RR) of total daily mortality was quantified for the current day of official thresholds exceeded. Results The number of days in which the thresholds were exceeded show great inconsistency, with provinces with great number of exceeded days adjacent to provinces that did not exceed or rarely exceeded. The average overall excess risk of dying during an extreme heat day was about 25% (RR = 1.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.19-1.30]). Relative risks showed a significant heterogeneity between cities (I2 = 54.9%). Western situation and low mean summer temperatures were associated with higher relative risks, suggesting thresholds may have been set too high in these areas. Conclusions This study confirmed that extreme heat days have a considerable impact on total daily mortality in Spain. Official thresholds gave consistent relative risk in the large capital cities. However, in some other cities thresholds
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio Tobias
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
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Harju T, Mäkinen T, Näyhä S, Laatikainen T, Jousilahti P, Hassi J. Cold-related respiratory symptoms in the general population. CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL 2010; 4:176-85. [PMID: 20565497 DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-699x.2009.00172.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cold-related respiratory symptoms are common among northern populations, especially among people suffering from respiratory diseases. However, the prevalence of such symptoms in the general population and the threshold temperatures at which the symptoms start to emerge are poorly known. OBJECTIVES The present study determined the prevalence and threshold temperatures of self-reported respiratory symptoms related to cold, separately for healthy people and those with respiratory disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six thousand five hundred ninety-one men and women aged 25 years-74 years from the national FINRISK study were queried about cold-related respiratory symptoms. The results were expressed as age-adjusted prevalence figures and coefficients from multivariate regressions. RESULTS Cold-related respiratory symptoms were more often reported by people with asthma (men 69%/women 78%) and by subjects with chronic bronchitis (65%/76%) than the healthy subjects (18%/21%). A binomial regression showed an increase of symptom prevalence by age and excesses of 4%, 50% and 21% units because of female sex, asthma and chronic bronchitis, respectively. The reported threshold temperature for cold-related symptoms was -14 degrees C for males and -15 degrees C for females, and it showed some increase by age (0 degrees C-5 degrees C), asthma (2 degrees C) and chronic bronchitis (3 degrees C). The threshold temperature for mucus production was exceptional as it decreased by age (2 degrees C-5 degrees C) and asthma (2 degrees C). The effects of smoking and education were marginal. CONCLUSION Cold-related respiratory symptoms are common in patients with chronic respiratory diseases, but they start to emerge at relatively low temperatures. In a cold climate, the cold-related symptoms may have an impact on the health-related quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terttu Harju
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Iñiguez C, Ballester F, Ferrandiz J, Pérez-Hoyos S, Sáez M, López A. Relation between temperature and mortality in thirteen Spanish cities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:3196-210. [PMID: 20948955 PMCID: PMC2954576 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7083196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2010] [Revised: 07/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In this study we examined the shape of the association between temperature and mortality in 13 Spanish cities representing a wide range of climatic and socio-demographic conditions. The temperature value linked with minimum mortality (MMT) and the slopes before and after the turning point (MMT) were calculated. Most cities showed a V-shaped temperature-mortality relationship. MMTs were generally higher in cities with warmer climates. Cold and heat effects also depended on climate: effects were greater in hotter cities but lesser in cities with higher variability. The effect of heat was greater than the effect of cold. The effect of cold and MMT was, in general, greater for cardio-respiratory mortality than for total mortality, while the effect of heat was, in general, greater among the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Iñiguez
- Center for Public Health Research (CSISP), Avda Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; E-Mail: (C.I.)
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Doctor Aiguader, 88 1ªPlanta, 8003 Barcelona, Spain
- Valencian School for Studies on Health (EVES), Juan de Garay 21, 46017, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ferran Ballester
- Center for Public Health Research (CSISP), Avda Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; E-Mail: (C.I.)
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Doctor Aiguader, 88 1ªPlanta, 8003 Barcelona, Spain
- Valencian School for Studies on Health (EVES), Juan de Garay 21, 46017, Valencia, Spain
- University of Valencia, Jaume Roig s/n, 46010, Valencia, Spain; E-Mail: (A.L.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +34-961-92-57-79 (direct); +34-961-92-57-00 (Central); Fax: +34-961-92-57-03
| | - Juan Ferrandiz
- University of Valencia, Jaume Roig s/n, 46010, Valencia, Spain; E-Mail: (A.L.)
| | - Santiago Pérez-Hoyos
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Doctor Aiguader, 88 1ªPlanta, 8003 Barcelona, Spain
- Valencian School for Studies on Health (EVES), Juan de Garay 21, 46017, Valencia, Spain
- Research Institute, Hospital Vall d’Hebrón, Passeig Vall d’Hebron, 119-129 08035 Barcelona, Spain; E-Mail: (S.P.-H.)
| | - Marc Sáez
- Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Doctor Aiguader, 88 1ªPlanta, 8003 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament d’Economia, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi 17071 Girona, Spain; E-Mail: (M.S.)
| | - Antonio López
- University of Valencia, Jaume Roig s/n, 46010, Valencia, Spain; E-Mail: (A.L.)
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D'Ippoliti D, Michelozzi P, Marino C, de'Donato F, Menne B, Katsouyanni K, Kirchmayer U, Analitis A, Medina-Ramón M, Paldy A, Atkinson R, Kovats S, Bisanti L, Schneider A, Lefranc A, Iñiguez C, Perucci CA. The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project. Environ Health 2010; 9:37. [PMID: 20637065 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-9-37-45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed at developing a standardized heat wave definition to estimate and compare the impact on mortality by gender, age and death causes in Europe during summers 1990-2004 and 2003, separately, accounting for heat wave duration and intensity. METHODS Heat waves were defined considering both maximum apparent temperature and minimum temperature and classified by intensity, duration and timing during summer. The effect was estimated as percent increase in daily mortality during heat wave days compared to non heat wave days in people over 65 years. City specific and pooled estimates by gender, age and cause of death were calculated. RESULTS The effect of heat waves showed great geographical heterogeneity among cities. Considering all years, except 2003, the increase in mortality during heat wave days ranged from + 7.6% in Munich to + 33.6% in Milan. The increase was up to 3-times greater during episodes of long duration and high intensity. Pooled results showed a greater impact in Mediterranean (+ 21.8% for total mortality) than in North Continental (+ 12.4%) cities. The highest effect was observed for respiratory diseases and among women aged 75-84 years. In 2003 the highest impact was observed in cities where heat wave episode was characterized by unusual meteorological conditions. CONCLUSIONS Climate change scenarios indicate that extreme events are expected to increase in the future even in regions where heat waves are not frequent. Considering our results prevention programs should specifically target the elderly, women and those suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, thus reducing the impact on mortality.
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D'Ippoliti D, Michelozzi P, Marino C, de'Donato F, Menne B, Katsouyanni K, Kirchmayer U, Analitis A, Medina-Ramón M, Paldy A, Atkinson R, Kovats S, Bisanti L, Schneider A, Lefranc A, Iñiguez C, Perucci CA. The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project. Environ Health 2010; 9:37. [PMID: 20637065 PMCID: PMC2914717 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-9-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2010] [Accepted: 07/16/2010] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed at developing a standardized heat wave definition to estimate and compare the impact on mortality by gender, age and death causes in Europe during summers 1990-2004 and 2003, separately, accounting for heat wave duration and intensity. METHODS Heat waves were defined considering both maximum apparent temperature and minimum temperature and classified by intensity, duration and timing during summer. The effect was estimated as percent increase in daily mortality during heat wave days compared to non heat wave days in people over 65 years. City specific and pooled estimates by gender, age and cause of death were calculated. RESULTS The effect of heat waves showed great geographical heterogeneity among cities. Considering all years, except 2003, the increase in mortality during heat wave days ranged from + 7.6% in Munich to + 33.6% in Milan. The increase was up to 3-times greater during episodes of long duration and high intensity. Pooled results showed a greater impact in Mediterranean (+ 21.8% for total mortality) than in North Continental (+ 12.4%) cities. The highest effect was observed for respiratory diseases and among women aged 75-84 years. In 2003 the highest impact was observed in cities where heat wave episode was characterized by unusual meteorological conditions. CONCLUSIONS Climate change scenarios indicate that extreme events are expected to increase in the future even in regions where heat waves are not frequent. Considering our results prevention programs should specifically target the elderly, women and those suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, thus reducing the impact on mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Michelozzi
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Authority, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Marino
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Authority, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Klea Katsouyanni
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - Antonis Analitis
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - Anna Paldy
- National Institute of Environmental Health, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Richard Atkinson
- Division of Community Health Sciences, St. George's University, London, UK
| | - Sari Kovats
- Public and Environmental Health Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luigi Bisanti
- Department of Epidemiology, Health Authority Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alexandra Schneider
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Agnès Lefranc
- Department of Environmental Health, French Institute for Public Health Surveillance, Saint Maurice, Cedex France
| | - Carmen Iñiguez
- Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Valencian School of Health Studies, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlo A Perucci
- Department of Epidemiology, Regional Health Authority, Rome, Italy
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30
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Michelozzi P, de' Donato FK, Bargagli AM, D'Ippoliti D, De Sario M, Marino C, Schifano P, Cappai G, Leone M, Kirchmayer U, Ventura M, di Gennaro M, Leonardi M, Oleari F, De Martino A, Perucci CA. Surveillance of summer mortality and preparedness to reduce the health impact of heat waves in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010. [PMID: 20623023 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7052256#sthash.ofz1ynom.dpuf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since 2004, the Italian Department for Civil Protection and the Ministry of Health have implemented a national program for the prevention of heat-health effects during summer, which to-date includes 34 major cities and 93% of the residents aged 65 years and over. The Italian program represents an important example of an integrated approach to prevent the impact of heat on health, comprising Heat Health Watch Warning Systems, a mortality surveillance system and prevention activities targeted to susceptible subgroups. City-specific warning systems are based on the relationship between temperature and mortality and serve as basis for the modulation of prevention measures. Local prevention activities, based on the guidelines defined by the Ministry of Health, are constructed around the infrastructures and services available. A key component of the prevention program is the identification of susceptible individuals and the active surveillance by General Practitioners, medical personnel and social workers. The mortality surveillance system enables the timely estimation of the impact of heat, and heat waves, on mortality during summer as well as to the evaluation of warning systems and prevention programs. Considering future predictions of climate change, the implementation of effective prevention programs, targeted to high risk subjects, become a priority in the public health agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Michelozzi
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, Rome, Italy.
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Michelozzi P, de’ Donato FK, Bargagli AM, D’Ippoliti D, De Sario M, Marino C, Schifano P, Cappai G, Leone M, Kirchmayer U, Ventura M, di Gennaro M, Leonardi M, Oleari F, De Martino A, Perucci CA. Surveillance of summer mortality and preparedness to reduce the health impact of heat waves in Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:2256-73. [PMID: 20623023 PMCID: PMC2898048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7052256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2010] [Accepted: 04/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Since 2004, the Italian Department for Civil Protection and the Ministry of Health have implemented a national program for the prevention of heat-health effects during summer, which to-date includes 34 major cities and 93% of the residents aged 65 years and over. The Italian program represents an important example of an integrated approach to prevent the impact of heat on health, comprising Heat Health Watch Warning Systems, a mortality surveillance system and prevention activities targeted to susceptible subgroups. City-specific warning systems are based on the relationship between temperature and mortality and serve as basis for the modulation of prevention measures. Local prevention activities, based on the guidelines defined by the Ministry of Health, are constructed around the infrastructures and services available. A key component of the prevention program is the identification of susceptible individuals and the active surveillance by General Practitioners, medical personnel and social workers. The mortality surveillance system enables the timely estimation of the impact of heat, and heat waves, on mortality during summer as well as to the evaluation of warning systems and prevention programs. Considering future predictions of climate change, the implementation of effective prevention programs, targeted to high risk subjects, become a priority in the public health agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Michelozzi
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail:
; Tel.: +39 0683060494; Fax: +39 0683060374
| | - Francesca K. de’ Donato
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Anna Maria Bargagli
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Daniela D’Ippoliti
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Manuela De Sario
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Claudia Marino
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Patrizia Schifano
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Giovanna Cappai
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Michela Leone
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Ursula Kirchmayer
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Martina Ventura
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
| | - Marta di Gennaro
- Department of Civil Protection, Via Ulpiano, 11-00193 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(M.D.G.);
(M.L.)
| | - Marco Leonardi
- Department of Civil Protection, Via Ulpiano, 11-00193 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(M.D.G.);
(M.L.)
| | - Fabrizio Oleari
- Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa, 1-00153 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.O.);
(A.D.M.)
| | - Annamaria De Martino
- Ministry of Health, Lungotevere Ripa, 1-00153 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.O.);
(A.D.M.)
| | - Carlo A. Perucci
- Lazio Region Department of Epidemiology, Via di Santa Costanza, 53-00198 Rome, Italy; E-Mails:
(F.K.D.);
(A.M.B.);
(D.D.);
(M.D.S.);
(C.M.);
(P.S.);
(G.C.);
(M.L.);
(U.K.);
(M.V.);
(C.A.P.)
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have described seasonal patterns of mortality, with rates higher in winter and lower in summer. Few researchers, however, have analyzed how the mortality rate in winter may influence the temperature-mortality association in the following summer. In the present paper, we addressed the question of whether the association between summer temperature and mortality among the elderly is modified by the previous winter mortality rate. METHODS We selected all deaths in Rome during 1987-2005 among persons 65 years old or older. We collected data on daily mean temperature and humidity. We estimated the effect of summer apparent temperature on mortality by using a time-series approach, and tested the effect modification based on the mortality rate during the preceding winter. RESULTS The effect of summer apparent temperature on mortality was stronger in years characterized by low mortality in the previous winter (relative risk for days at 30 degrees C vs. days at 20 degrees C = 1.73 [95% confidence interval = 1.50-2.01]), as contrasted with years with medium (1.32 [1.25-1.41]) or high winter mortality (1.34 [1.17-1.55]). The percentages of attributable risks for summer heat were 28%, 18%, and 18% for years characterized by low, medium, or high winter mortality rates respectively. CONCLUSIONS Low-mortality winters may inflate the pool of the elderly susceptible population at risk for dying from high temperature the following summer.
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O'Neill MS, Jackman DK, Wyman M, Manarolla X, Gronlund CJ, Brown DG, Brines SJ, Schwartz J, Diez-Roux AV. US local action on heat and health: are we prepared for climate change? Int J Public Health 2009; 55:105-12. [PMID: 19774340 DOI: 10.1007/s00038-009-0071-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2008] [Revised: 08/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Global climate change is increasing the frequency of heat waves, hot weather, and temperature variability, which contribute to mortality and illness. Baseline information on local efforts to reduce heat vulnerability, including public advisories; minimizing greenhouse gas emissions; and mitigating urban heat islands, is lacking. METHODS We designed a survey about local government programs to prevent health problems and reduce heat exposure during heatwaves and administered it to 285 US communities. RESULTS Of 70 respondents, 26 indicated that excessive heat events are a significant issue for the local government; 30 had established preventive programs. Local government leadership and public health impacts of heat were cited most frequently as extremely important determinants of preventive programs, followed by implementation costs, economic impacts of hot weather, and greenhouse gas emissions mitigation. Cool paving materials and vegetated roofs were common heat mitigation strategies. Fact sheets and case studies were desired guidance for protecting communities during hot weather. CONCLUSIONS New partnerships and financial resources are needed to support more widespread local action to prevent adverse health consequences of climate change and promote environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie S O'Neill
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, 6631 SPH Tower, 109 South Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA.
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Michelozzi P, Accetta G, De Sario M, D'Ippoliti D, Marino C, Baccini M, Biggeri A, Anderson HR, Katsouyanni K, Ballester F, Bisanti L, Cadum E, Forsberg B, Forastiere F, Goodman PG, Hojs A, Kirchmayer U, Medina S, Paldy A, Schindler C, Sunyer J, Perucci CA. High Temperature and Hospitalizations for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Causes in 12 European Cities. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2009; 179:383-9. [DOI: 10.1164/rccm.200802-217oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 364] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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Analitis A, Katsouyanni K, Biggeri A, Baccini M, Forsberg B, Bisanti L, Kirchmayer U, Ballester F, Cadum E, Goodman PG, Hojs A, Sunyer J, Tiittanen P, Michelozzi P. Effects of cold weather on mortality: results from 15 European cities within the PHEWE project. Am J Epidemiol 2008; 168:1397-408. [PMID: 18952849 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwn266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 349] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Weather-related health effects have attracted renewed interest because of the observed and predicted climate change. The authors studied the short-term effects of cold weather on mortality in 15 European cities. The effects of minimum apparent temperature on cause- and age-specific daily mortality were assessed for the cold season (October-March) by using data from 1990-2000. For city-specific analysis, the authors used Poisson regression and distributed lag models, controlling for potential confounders. Meta-regression models summarized the results and explored heterogeneity. A 1 degrees C decrease in temperature was associated with a 1.35% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 1.53) increase in the daily number of total natural deaths and a 1.72% (95% CI: 1.44, 2.01), 3.30% (95% CI: 2.61, 3.99), and 1.25% (95% CI: 0.77, 1.73) increase in cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular deaths, respectively. The increase was greater for the older age groups. The cold effect was found to be greater in warmer (southern) cities and persisted up to 23 days, with no evidence of mortality displacement. Cold-related mortality is an important public health problem across Europe. It should not be underestimated by public health authorities because of the recent focus on heat-wave episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Analitis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Warm, wet weather associated with increased Legionnaires' disease incidence in The Netherlands. Epidemiol Infect 2008; 137:181-7. [PMID: 18631425 DOI: 10.1017/s095026880800099x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that warm and humid weather is related to a high incidence of Legionnaires' disease (LD), but no data on this association existed in The Netherlands. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of the weather on LD in The Netherlands. National LD surveillance and meteorological data were obtained. We analysed the data using Poisson regression, adjusting for long-term trends, and using principal components analysis. The highest weekly incidence of LD occurred when the mean weekly temperature was +17.5 degrees C. Mean weekly relative humidity, temperature and precipitation intensity were associated with LD incidence in the multivariable model. Warm, humid and showery summer weather was found to be associated with higher incidence of LD in The Netherlands. These results may be used to predict an increase in the number of cases of LD in The Netherlands during the summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Sari Kovats
- Public and Environmental Health Research Unit (PEHRU), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; ,
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- Public and Environmental Health Research Unit (PEHRU), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom; ,
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Affiliation(s)
- David Sharp
- 2 Iron Mills, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, GL6 9AL UK
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