Surveillance of Heat-related Morbidity: Relation to Heat-related Excess Mortality

Authors

  • Robert Mathes New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Kristina B. Metzger City of Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department
  • Kazuhiko Ito New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  • Thomas Matte New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v5i1.4493

Abstract

Deaths tend to lag extreme heat and mortality data is generally not available for timely surveillance during heat waves. We analyzed daily weather, emergency medical system (EMS) calls flagged as heat-related, emergency department (ED) visits classified as heat-related, and natural cause deaths. We observed a 10% (95% CI: 4-16) mortality increase associated with one-day lagged heat-related EMS calls and a 5% mortality increase with one-day lagged ED visits (95% CI: 2-8). We conclude heat-related illness can be tracked during heat waves using EMS and ED data which are indicators of heat associated excess natural cause mortality.

Author Biography

Robert Mathes, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Robert Mathes is an epidemiologist at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

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Published

2013-03-23

How to Cite

Mathes, R., Metzger, K. B., Ito, K., & Matte, T. (2013). Surveillance of Heat-related Morbidity: Relation to Heat-related Excess Mortality. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v5i1.4493

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Poster Presentations

License

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