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Comparative Study
. 2002 May;92(5):830-3.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.92.5.830.

Heat wave morbidity and mortality, Milwaukee, Wis, 1999 vs 1995: an improved response?

Marc G Weisskopf  1 , Henry A Anderson, Seth Foldy, Lawrence P Hanrahan, Kathleen Blair, Thomas J Török, Peter D Rumm
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Heat wave morbidity and mortality, Milwaukee, Wis, 1999 vs 1995: an improved response?

Marc G Weisskopf et al. Am J Public Health. 2002 May.

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined whether differences in heat alone, as opposed to public health interventions or other factors, accounted for the reduction in heat-related deaths and paramedic emergency medical service (EMS) runs between 1995 and 1999 during 2 heat waves occurring in Milwaukee, Wis.

Methods: Two previously described prediction models were adapted to compare expected and observed heat-related morbidity and mortality in 1999 based on the city's 1995 experience.

Results: Both models showed that heat-related deaths and EMS runs in 1999 were at least 49% lower than levels predicted by the 1995 relation between heat and heat-related deaths or EMS runs.

Conclusions: Reductions in heat-related morbidity and mortality in 1999 were not attributable to differences in heat levels alone. Changes in public health preparedness and response may also have contributed to these reductions.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Summer daily heat-index measures, heat-related mortality, and heat-related emergency medical service (EMS) runs: Milwaukee, Wis, 1995 and 1999.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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