Effects of Heat Waves on Mortality

• DOI: 10.1097/ede.0b013e31828ac01b
• Publication Date: 2013-10-25T12:27:58Z
• Authors: Antonis Analitis; Paola Michelozzi; Daniela D’Ippoliti; Francesca de’Donato; Bettina Menne; Franziska Matthies; Richard W. Atkinson; Carmen Iñiguez; Xavier Basagaña; Alexandra Schneider; Agnès Lefranc; Anna Paldy; Luigi Bisanti; Klea Katsouyanni
• Keywords: Heat wave; Nitrogen dioxide; Effect modification

Background: Heat waves and air pollution are both associated with increased mortality. Their joint effects less well understood. Methods: We explored the role of in modifying heat on mortality, within EuroHEAT project. Daily meteorologic, data from nine European cities for years 1990–2004 were assembled. defined by taking intensity duration into account. The city-specific wave episodes estimated using generalized estimating equation models, adjusting potential confounders without inclusion pollutants (particles, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur carbon monoxide). To investigate effect modification, we introduced an interaction term between each single pollutant models. Random meta-analysis was used to summarize results. Results: increase number daily deaths during 54% higher high ozone days compared low, among people age 75–84 years. PM10 36% 106% year 85+ groups, respectively. A similar pattern observed cardiovascular Effect modification evident respiratory although itself greater this cause death. smaller (15–30%) after adjustment or PM10. Conclusions: mortality larger days. When assessing lack especially overestimates parameters. This bias has implications public health policy.