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Evaluating the Performance of a Climate-Driven Mortality Model during Heat Waves and Cold Spells in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Lowe

    (Institut Català de Ciències del Clima (IC3), Carrer Doctor Trueta, 203, 3a, 08005 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Joan Ballester

    (Institut Català de Ciències del Clima (IC3), Carrer Doctor Trueta, 203, 3a, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
    Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS), California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA 91125, USA)

  • James Creswick

    (World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe, European Centre for Environment and Health, Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

  • Jean-Marie Robine

    (National Institute of Health and Medical Research, INSERM U988 and U1198, Université Montpellier II, U1198 MMDN—Bâtiment 24, Place Eugène Bataillon—CC105, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France
    Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE), Paris 75014, France)

  • François R. Herrmann

    (Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Ch. Pont-Bochet, 1226 Thônex, Switzerland)

  • Xavier Rodó

    (Institut Català de Ciències del Clima (IC3), Carrer Doctor Trueta, 203, 3a, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
    Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

The impact of climate change on human health is a serious concern. In particular, changes in the frequency and intensity of heat waves and cold spells are of high relevance in terms of mortality and morbidity. This demonstrates the urgent need for reliable early-warning systems to help authorities prepare and respond to emergency situations. In this study, we evaluate the performance of a climate-driven mortality model to provide probabilistic predictions of exceeding emergency mortality thresholds for heat wave and cold spell scenarios. Daily mortality data corresponding to 187 NUTS2 regions across 16 countries in Europe were obtained from 1998–2003. Data were aggregated to 54 larger regions in Europe, defined according to similarities in population structure and climate. Location-specific average mortality rates, at given temperature intervals over the time period, were modelled to account for the increased mortality observed during both high and low temperature extremes and differing comfort temperatures between regions. Model parameters were estimated in a Bayesian framework, in order to generate probabilistic simulations of mortality across Europe for time periods of interest. For the heat wave scenario (1–15 August 2003), the model was successfully able to anticipate the occurrence or non-occurrence of mortality rates exceeding the emergency threshold (75th percentile of the mortality distribution) for 89% of the 54 regions, given a probability decision threshold of 70%. For the cold spell scenario (1–15 January 2003), mortality events in 69% of the regions were correctly anticipated with a probability decision threshold of 70%. By using a more conservative decision threshold of 30%, this proportion increased to 87%. Overall, the model performed better for the heat wave scenario. By replacing observed temperature data in the model with forecast temperature, from state-of-the-art European forecasting systems, probabilistic mortality predictions could potentially be made several months ahead of imminent heat waves and cold spells.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Lowe & Joan Ballester & James Creswick & Jean-Marie Robine & François R. Herrmann & Xavier Rodó, 2015. "Evaluating the Performance of a Climate-Driven Mortality Model during Heat Waves and Cold Spells in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:2:p:1279-1294:d:45062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Håvard Rue & Sara Martino & Nicolas Chopin, 2009. "Approximate Bayesian inference for latent Gaussian models by using integrated nested Laplace approximations," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series B, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 71(2), pages 319-392, April.
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    3. Dianne Lowe & Kristie L. Ebi & Bertil Forsberg, 2011. "Heatwave Early Warning Systems and Adaptation Advice to Reduce Human Health Consequences of Heatwaves," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-26, December.
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    1. Rosa María Cerón Bretón & Julia Griselda Cerón Bretón & Jonathan W. D. Kahl & María de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes & Evangelina Ramírez Lara & Marcela Rangel Marrón & Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino & Mart, 2020. "Short-Term Effects of Atmospheric Pollution on Daily Mortality and Their Modification by Increased Temperatures Associated with a Climatic Change Scenario in Northern Mexico," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Jongchul Park & Yeora Chae & Seo Hyung Choi, 2019. "Analysis of Mortality Change Rate from Temperature in Summer by Age, Occupation, Household Type, and Chronic Diseases in 229 Korean Municipalities from 2007–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Rachel Lowe & Markel García-Díez & Joan Ballester & James Creswick & Jean-Marie Robine & François R. Herrmann & Xavier Rodó, 2016. "Evaluation of an Early-Warning System for Heat Wave-Related Mortality in Europe: Implications for Sub-seasonal to Seasonal Forecasting and Climate Services," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.

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