title: Socio-demographic vulnerability to heatwave impacts in Brisbane, Australia: a time series analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Examining the association between socioeconomic disadvantage and heat-related emergency department (ED) visits during heatwave periods in Brisbane, 2000-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 10 public EDs were analysed using a generalised additive model for disease categories, age groups and gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cumulative relative risks (RR) for non-external causes other than cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were 1.11 and 1.05 in most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. The pattern persisted on lags 0-2. Elevated risks were observed for all age groups above 15 years in all areas. However, with RRs of 1.19-1.28, the 65-74 years age group in more disadvantaged areas stood out, compared with RR=1.08 in less disadvantaged areas. This pattern was observed on lag 0 but did not persist. The RRs for male presentations were 1.10 and 1.04 in most and less disadvantaged areas; for females, RR was 1.04 in less disadvantaged areas. This pattern persisted across lags 0-2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heat-related ED visits increased during heatwaves. However, due to overlapping confidence intervals, variations across socioeconomic areas should be interpreted cautiously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED data may be utilised for monitoring heat-related health impacts, particularly on the first day of heatwaves, to facilitate prompt interventions and targeted resource allocation.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.
authors.forename: Ghasem Sam
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Toloo
authors.forename: Yuming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.forename: Shilu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006760:Hospitalization; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012621:Seasons; D014329:Tropical Climate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: emergency departments; heatwaves; socioeconomic disadvantage; temporal analysis; vulnerability