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Hot of Not: Physiological versus Meteorological Heatwaves—Support for a Mean Temperature Threshold

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  • Matt Luther

    (Calvary Hospital Bruce Cnr Belconnen, Way & Haydon Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
    Australian Catholic University, 223 Antill St, Watson, ACT 2602, Australia
    University of Canberra, University Dr, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • Fergus W. Gardiner

    (Calvary Hospital Bruce Cnr Belconnen, Way & Haydon Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
    School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia)

  • Claire Hansen

    (Calvary Hospital Bruce Cnr Belconnen, Way & Haydon Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

  • David Caldicott

    (Calvary Hospital Bruce Cnr Belconnen, Way & Haydon Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia
    ANU Medical School, Australian National University, Building 4, The Canberra Hospital, Hospital Rd, Garran, ACT 2605, Australia)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether a revised heat warning threshold provides an enhanced predictive tool for increases in Emergency Department heat-related presentations in Canberra, Australia. All Emergency Department triage records containing the word “heat”, as well as those diagnosing a heat related illness for the summer periods 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016 were searched. Then a medical record review was conducted to confirm that the patient’s presentation was related to environmental heat, which was defined by the final clinical diagnosis, presentation complaint and details of the patient’s treatment. Researchers then compared this presentation data, to a mean threshold formula. The mean threshold formula included the past three consecutive daily mean temperatures and the last measured temperature upon presentation. This formula was designed to take into account the variance of night-time lows, with concurrent daily ambient temperatures, and was used to determine whether there was a correlation between heat-related presentations and increasing mean temperatures. Heat-related presentations appeared to occur when the mean threshold temperature reached 25 °C (77 °F), with significant increases when the mean threshold reached 30 °C (86 °F). These results confirm that a mean temperature of 30 °C corresponds to a relevant local public health heat-related threat.

Suggested Citation

  • Matt Luther & Fergus W. Gardiner & Claire Hansen & David Caldicott, 2016. "Hot of Not: Physiological versus Meteorological Heatwaves—Support for a Mean Temperature Threshold," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:8:p:753-:d:74714
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Derick A. Akompab & Peng Bi & Susan Williams & Janet Grant & Iain A. Walker & Martha Augoustinos, 2012. "Awareness of and Attitudes towards Heat Waves within the Context of Climate Change among a Cohort of Residents in Adelaide, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Derick A. Akompab & Peng Bi & Susan Williams & Janet Grant & Iain A. Walker & Martha Augoustinos, 2013. "Heat Waves and Climate Change: Applying the Health Belief Model to Identify Predictors of Risk Perception and Adaptive Behaviours in Adelaide, Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tjaša Pogačar & Zala Žnidaršič & Lučka Kajfež Bogataj & Andreas D. Flouris & Konstantina Poulianiti & Zalika Črepinšek, 2019. "Heat Waves Occurrence and Outdoor Workers’ Self-assessment of Heat Stress in Slovenia and Greece," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-12, February.

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