The impact of heatwaves on mortality in Australia: a multicity study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess the heterogeneity of heatwave-related impacts on mortality across different cities.

Design

A multicity time series study.

Setting

3 largest Australian cities: Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Participants

All residents living in these cities.

Main outcome measures

Non-external causes mortality data by gender and two age groups (ie, 0-75 and 75+) for these cities during the period 1988-2009 were obtained from relevant government agencies.

Results

Total mortality increased mostly within the same day (lag 0) or a lag of 1 day (lag 1) during almost all heatwaves in three cities. Using the heatwave definition (HWD) as the 95th centile of mean temperature for two or more consecutive days in the summer season, the relative risk for to

SUBMITTER: Tong S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3931989 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature