title: Perceived adverse health effects of heat and their determinants in deprived neighbourhoods: a cross-sectional survey of nine cities in Canada.
abstract: This study identifies several characteristics of individuals who report their physical and/or mental health as being adversely affected by summertime heat and humidity, within the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the nine largest cities of Québec (Canada). The study is cross-sectional by stratified representative sample; 3485 people were interviewed in their residence. The prevalence of reported impacts was 46%, mostly physical health. Female gender and long-term medical leave are two impact risk indicators in people <65 years of age. Low income and air conditioning at home are risk indicators at all ages. Results for having ≥2 diagnoses of chronic diseases, particularly for people self-describing as in poor health (odds ratio, OR<65 = 5.6; OR≥65 = 4.2), and perceiving daily stress, are independent of age. The prevalence of reported heat-related health impacts is thus very high in those inner cities, with notable differences according to age, stress levels and long-term medical leave, previously unmentioned in the literature. Finally, the total number of pre-existing medical conditions seems to be a preponderant risk factor. This study complements the epidemiologic studies based on mortality or severe morbidity and shows that the heat-related burden of disease appears very important in those communities, affecting several subgroups differentially.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490, rue de la Couronne, QC G1K 9A9, Canada. diane.belanger@ete.inrs.ca.
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bélanger
authors.affiliation: Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945, Avenue Wolfe, QC G1V 5B3, Canada. pierre.gosselin@inspq.qc.ca.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.affiliation: Université Laval, 2325 rue de l'Université, QC G1V 0A6, Canada. pierre.valois@fse.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valois
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, QC G1V 4G2, Canada. belkacem.abdous@fmed.ulaval.ca.
authors.forename: Belkacem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abdous
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011792:Quebec; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult