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. 2010 Jul 16:9:37.
doi: 10.1186/1476-069X-9-37.

The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project

Daniela D'Ippoliti  1 , Paola Michelozzi, Claudia Marino, Francesca de'Donato, Bettina Menne, Klea Katsouyanni, Ursula Kirchmayer, Antonis Analitis, Mercedes Medina-Ramón, Anna Paldy, Richard Atkinson, Sari Kovats, Luigi Bisanti, Alexandra Schneider, Agnès Lefranc, Carmen Iñiguez, Carlo A Perucci
Affiliations

The impact of heat waves on mortality in 9 European cities: results from the EuroHEAT project

Daniela D'Ippoliti et al. Environ Health. .

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed at developing a standardized heat wave definition to estimate and compare the impact on mortality by gender, age and death causes in Europe during summers 1990-2004 and 2003, separately, accounting for heat wave duration and intensity.

Methods: Heat waves were defined considering both maximum apparent temperature and minimum temperature and classified by intensity, duration and timing during summer. The effect was estimated as percent increase in daily mortality during heat wave days compared to non heat wave days in people over 65 years. City specific and pooled estimates by gender, age and cause of death were calculated.

Results: The effect of heat waves showed great geographical heterogeneity among cities. Considering all years, except 2003, the increase in mortality during heat wave days ranged from + 7.6% in Munich to + 33.6% in Milan. The increase was up to 3-times greater during episodes of long duration and high intensity. Pooled results showed a greater impact in Mediterranean (+ 21.8% for total mortality) than in North Continental (+ 12.4%) cities. The highest effect was observed for respiratory diseases and among women aged 75-84 years. In 2003 the highest impact was observed in cities where heat wave episode was characterized by unusual meteorological conditions.

Conclusions: Climate change scenarios indicate that extreme events are expected to increase in the future even in regions where heat waves are not frequent. Considering our results prevention programs should specifically target the elderly, women and those suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, thus reducing the impact on mortality.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
City-specific and pooled estimates of the effect of heat-waves on daily mortality (% increase and 90% CI) by duration and intensity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
City-specific estimates of the effect of heat-waves on daily mortality (% increase and 90% CI) during summer 2003 and in other years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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