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The influence of weather on human mortality in Hong Kong

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  • Yan, Yuk Yee

Abstract

This study is the first attempt to investigate mortality seasonality and weather-mortality relationships in Hong Kong from 1980 to 1994. Monthly mortality data from all causes of death, neoplasm, circulatory and respiratory diseases were obtained from the Census and Statistics Department and the weather data were obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory. Regression analyses and ANOVA were employed. Significant winter peaks in sex specific and total deaths from all causes, circulatory and respiratory diseases were ascertained. Cancer mortality, however, was not seasonal. Mortality seasonality only existed in age groups 45-64 and >=65. For the impact of weather on mortality, no significant relationship between weather variables and cancer mortality was observed. A significant negative association between minimum temperature and a positive relationship between cloud and deaths were found. This suggests that colder and cloudy conditions may heighten mortality. Wind was discovered to have a negative association with mortality. This finding revealed that the stressful effect of wind on mortality was negligible. There was no apparent sex difference. Deaths from the younger age groups (0-24 yr old) were not weather related. Weak weather connection with mortality for age group 25-44 was discovered, with Adj r2 values ranging from 0.05 to 0.07. The elderly (age >=65) were more vulnerable to weather stress and strong weather-mortality relationship was uncovered, with Adj r2 values from 0.36 to 0.66. These results are important information for formulating public health policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan, Yuk Yee, 2000. "The influence of weather on human mortality in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 50(3), pages 419-427, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:50:y:2000:i:3:p:419-427
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    Cited by:

    1. Deniz Gerçek & İsmail Talih Güven, 2023. "Assessment of Mutual Variation of Near-Surface Air Temperature, Land Surface Temperature and Driving Urban Parameters at Urban Microscale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Pui Hing Chau & Paul Siu Fai Yip & Eric Ho Yin Lau & Yee Ting Ip & Frances Yik Wa Law & Rainbow Tin Hung Ho & Angela Yee Man Leung & Janet Yuen Ha Wong & Jean Woo, 2020. "Hot Weather and Suicide Deaths among Older Adults in Hong Kong, 1976–2014: A Retrospective Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Hanewald, Katja, 2008. "Beyond the business cycle: Factors driving aggregate mortality rates," SFB 649 Discussion Papers 2008-031, Humboldt University Berlin, Collaborative Research Center 649: Economic Risk.
    4. Hung Chak Ho & Sawaid Abbas & Jinxin Yang & Rui Zhu & Man Sing Wong, 2019. "Spatiotemporal Prediction of Increasing Winter Perceived Temperature across a Sub-Tropical City for Sustainable Planning and Climate Change Mitigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-17, February.
    5. Hung Chak Ho & Anders Knudby & Wei Huang, 2015. "A Spatial Framework to Map Heat Health Risks at Multiple Scales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-14, December.
    6. Skinner, Mark W. & Yantzi, Nicole M. & Rosenberg, Mark W., 2009. "Neither rain nor hail nor sleet nor snow: Provider perspectives on the challenges of weather for home and community care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 682-688, February.
    7. Pui Hing Chau & Moses Wong & Jean Woo, 2014. "Ischemic Heart Disease Hospitalization among Older People in a Subtropical City — Hong Kong: Does Winter Have a Greater Impact than Summer?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, April.
    8. repec:hum:wpaper:sfb649dp2008-031 is not listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Seasonality Mortality Hong Kong;

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