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Mortality during a Large-Scale Heat Wave by Place, Demographic Group, Internal and External Causes of Death, and Building Climate Zone

Author

Listed:
  • Lauren Joe

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Sumi Hoshiko

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Dina Dobraca

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Rebecca Jackson

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Svetlana Smorodinsky

    (Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Daniel Smith

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Martha Harnly

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

Abstract

Mortality increases during periods of elevated heat. Identification of vulnerable subgroups by demographics, causes of death, and geographic regions, including deaths occurring at home, is needed to inform public health prevention efforts. We calculated mortality relative risks (RRs) and excess deaths associated with a large-scale California heat wave in 2006, comparing deaths during the heat wave with reference days. For total (all-place) and at-home mortality, we examined risks by demographic factors, internal and external causes of death, and building climate zones. During the heat wave, 582 excess deaths occurred, a 5% increase over expected (RR = 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.08). Sixty-six percent of excess deaths were at home (RR = 1.12, CI 1.07–1.16). Total mortality risk was higher among those aged 35–44 years than ≥65, and among Hispanics than whites. Deaths from external causes increased more sharply (RR = 1.18, CI 1.10–1.27) than from internal causes (RR = 1.04, CI 1.02–1.07). Geographically, risk varied by building climate zone; the highest risks of at-home death occurred in the northernmost coastal zone (RR = 1.58, CI 1.01–2.48) and the southernmost zone of California’s Central Valley (RR = 1.43, CI 1.21–1.68). Heat wave mortality risk varied across subpopulations, and some patterns of vulnerability differed from those previously identified. Public health efforts should also address at-home mortality, non-elderly adults, external causes, and at-risk geographic regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lauren Joe & Sumi Hoshiko & Dina Dobraca & Rebecca Jackson & Svetlana Smorodinsky & Daniel Smith & Martha Harnly, 2016. "Mortality during a Large-Scale Heat Wave by Place, Demographic Group, Internal and External Causes of Death, and Building Climate Zone," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:3:p:299-:d:65328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sumi Hoshiko & Paul English & Daniel Smith & Roger Trent, 2010. "A simple method for estimating excess mortality due to heat waves, as applied to the 2006 California heat wave," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 133-137, April.
    2. Kosatsky, T. & Henderson, S.B. & Pollock, S.L., 2012. "Shifts in mortality during a hot weather event in Vancouver, British columbia: Rapid assessment with case-only analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(12), pages 2367-2371.
    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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    2. Yun Jian & Connor Y. H. Wu & Julia M. Gohlke, 2017. "Effect Modification by Environmental Quality on the Association between Heatwaves and Mortality in Alabama, United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-11, September.

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