Susceptibility to mortality in weather extremes: effect modification by personal and small-area characteristics.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Extremes of temperature have been associated with short-term increases in daily mortality. We identified subpopulations with increased susceptibility to dying during temperature extremes, based on personal demographics, small-area characteristics, and preexisting medical conditions.

Methods

We examined Medicare participants in 135 US cities and identified preexisting conditions based on hospitalization records before their deaths, from 1985 to 2006. Personal characteristics were obtained from the Medicare records, and area characteristics were assigned based on zip code of residence. We conducted a case-only analysis of over 11 million deaths and evaluated modification of the risk of dying associated with extremely hot days and extremely cold days, continuous temp

SUBMITTER: Zanobetti A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4304207 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature