title: Incorporating occupational risk in heat stress vulnerability mapping.
abstract: Both obesity and strenuous outdoor work are known risk factors for heat-related illness (HRI). These risk factors may be compounded by more and longer periods of extreme heat in the southeastern U.S. To quantify occupational risk and investigate the possible predictive value of a GIS-based tool, a weighted occupation-based metabolic equivalent (MET) index was created. The correlation between current MET-weighted employment rates or obesity rates and 2012 HRI report rates in Alabama were then determined. With the current dataset, results indicate occupational and obesity rates may explain some of the geographical variation seen in HRI report rates, although results are not statistically significant with this limited dataset. Mapping occupational and physiological risk factors with HRI rates may be useful for environmental and occupational health professionals to identify "hotspots" that may require special attention.
authors.forename: Kyle G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Crider
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Maples
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gohlke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000407:Alabama; D002648:Child; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult