title: The impact of summer temperatures and heatwaves on mortality and morbidity in Perth, Australia 1994-2008.
abstract: Climate change projections have drawn attention to the risks of extreme heat and the importance of public health interventions to minimise the impact. The city of Perth, Western Australia, frequently experiences hot summer conditions, with recent summers showing above average temperatures. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures, mortality, emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions data were acquired for Perth for the period 1994 to 2008. Using an observed/expected analysis, the temperature thresholds for mortality were estimated at 34-36°C (maximum) and 20°C (minimum). Generalised estimating equations (GEEs) were used to estimate the percentage increase in mortality and morbidity outcomes with a 10°C increment in temperature, with adjustment for air pollutants. Effect estimates are reported as incidence rate ratios (IRRs). The health impact of heatwave days (three or more days of ≥35°C) was also investigated. A 9.8% increase in daily mortality (IRR 1.098; 95%CI: 1.007-1.196) was associated with a 10°C increase in maximum temperature above threshold. Total ED presentations increased by 4.4% (IRR 1.044; 95%CI: 1.033-1.054) and renal-related ED presentations by 10.2% (IRR 1.102; 95%CI: 1.071-1.135) per 10°C increase in maximum temperature. Heatwave days were associated with increases in daily mortality and ED presentations, while total hospital admissions were decreased on heatwave days. Public health interventions will be increasingly important to minimise the adverse health impacts of hot weather in Perth, particularly if the recent trend of rising average temperatures and more hot days continues as projected.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Electronic address: susan.williams@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: South Australian Department of Health, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. Electronic address: monika.nitschke@health.sa.gov.au.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nitschke
authors.affiliation: Graduate Research Centre, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia. Electronic address: Philip.Weinstein@unisa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Electronic address: dino.pisaniello@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Dino L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pisaniello
authors.affiliation: Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 883 Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia. Electronic address: KParton@csu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Parton
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia. Electronic address: peng.bi@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bi
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D057231:Climate Change; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055874:Extreme Heat; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011634:Public Health; D012621:Seasons; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants