title: The impact of heatwaves on mortality and emergency hospital admissions from non-external causes in Brisbane, Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Heatwaves can have significant health consequences resulting in increased mortality and morbidity. However, their impact on people living in tropical/subtropical regions remains largely unknown. This study assessed the impact of heatwaves on mortality and emergency hospital admissions (EHAs) from non-external causes (NEC) in Brisbane, a subtropical city in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We acquired daily data on weather, air pollution and EHAs for patients aged 15 years and over in Brisbane between January 1996 and December 2005, and on mortality between January 1996 and November 2004. A locally derived definition of heatwave (daily maximum ≥37°C for 2 or more consecutive days) was adopted. Case-crossover analyses were used to assess the impact of heatwaves on cause-specific mortality and EHAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During heatwaves, there was a statistically significant increase in NEC mortality (OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.77), cardiovascular mortality (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.44 to 2.48), diabetes mortality in those aged 75+ (OR 9.96; 95% CI 1.02 to 96.85), NEC EHAs (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.23) and EHAs from renal diseases (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.83). The elderly were found to be particularly vulnerable to heatwaves (eg, for NEC EHAs, OR 1.24 for 65-74-year-olds and 1.39 for those aged 75+).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant increases in NEC mortality and EHAs were observed during heatwaves in Brisbane where people are well accustomed to hot summer weather. The most vulnerable were the elderly and people with cardiovascular, renal or diabetic disease.
authors: School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
authors: Xiao Yu
authors: XY
authors: Wang
authors: Adrian Gerard
authors: AG
authors: Barnett
authors: Weiwei
authors: W
authors: Yu
authors: Gerry
authors: G
authors: FitzGerald
authors: Vivienne
authors: V
authors: Tippett
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Aitken
authors: Gerard
authors: G
authors: Neville
authors: David
authors: D
authors: McRae
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Verrall
authors: Shilu
authors: S
authors: Tong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000401:mortality*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055874:Extreme Heat / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000401:mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000401:mortality; D020521:Stroke / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter