title: Changes in air temperature and its relation to ambulance transports due to heat stroke in all 47 prefectures of Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Changes in air temperature and its relation to ambulance transports due to heat stroke in all 47 prefectures, in Japan were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on air temperature were obtained from the Japanese Meteorological Agency. Data on ambulance transports due to heat stroke was directly obtained from the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, Japan. We also used the number of deaths due to heat stroke from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, and population data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Chronological changes in parameters of air temperature were analyzed. In addition, the relation between air temperature and ambulance transports due to heat stroke in August 2010 was also evaluated by using an ecological study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive and significant changes in the parameters of air temperature that is, the mean air temperature, mean of the highest air temperature, and mean of the lowest air temperature were noted in all 47 prefectures. In addition, changes in air temperature were accelerated when adjusted for observation years. Ambulance transports due to heat stroke was significantly correlated with air temperature in the ecological study. The highest air temperature was significantly linked to ambulance transports due to heat stroke, especially in elderly subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Global warming was demonstrated in all 47 prefectures in Japan. In addition, the higher air temperature was closely associated with higher ambulance transports due to heat stroke in Japan.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Kagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyatake
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sakano
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000552:Ambulances / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Air temperature; Ambulance transports; Ecological study; Heat stroke; Japan