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The Use of a Quasi-Experimental Study on the Mortality Effect of a Heat Wave Warning System in Korea

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  • Seulkee Heo

    (School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA)

  • Amruta Nori-Sarma

    (School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA)

  • Kwonsang Lee

    (Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Tarik Benmarhnia

    (Department of Family Medicine and Public Health and Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Francesca Dominici

    (Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA)

  • Michelle L. Bell

    (School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA)

Abstract

Many cities and countries have implemented heat wave warning systems to combat the health effects of extreme heat. Little is known about whether these systems actually reduce heat-related morbidity and mortality. We examined the effectiveness of heat wave alerts and health plans in reducing the mortality risk of heat waves in Korea by utilizing the discrepancy between the alerts and the monitored temperature. A difference-in-differences analysis combined with propensity score weighting was used. Mortality, weather monitoring, and heat wave alert announcement data were collected for 7 major cities during 2009–2014. Results showed evidence of risk reduction among people aged 19–64 without education (−0.144 deaths/1,000,000 people, 95% CI: −0.227, −0.061) and children aged 0–19 (−0.555 deaths/1,000,000 people, 95% CI: −0.993, −0.117). Decreased cardiovascular and respiratory mortality was found in several subgroups including single persons, widowed people, blue-collar workers, people with no education or the highest level of education (university or higher). No evidence was found for decreased all-cause mortality in the population (1.687 deaths/1,000,000 people per day; 95% CI: 1.118, 2.255). In conclusion, heat wave alerts may reduce mortality for several causes and subpopulations of age and socio-economic status. Further work needs to examine the pathways through which the alerts impact subpopulations differently.

Suggested Citation

  • Seulkee Heo & Amruta Nori-Sarma & Kwonsang Lee & Tarik Benmarhnia & Francesca Dominici & Michelle L. Bell, 2019. "The Use of a Quasi-Experimental Study on the Mortality Effect of a Heat Wave Warning System in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:12:p:2245-:d:242834
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ghasem Toloo & Gerard FitzGerald & Peter Aitken & Kenneth Verrall & Shilu Tong, 2013. "Evaluating the effectiveness of heat warning systems: systematic review of epidemiological evidence," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(5), pages 667-681, October.
    2. Giuseppe Liotta & Maria Chiara Inzerilli & Leonardo Palombi & Olga Madaro & Stefano Orlando & Paola Scarcella & Daniela Betti & Maria Cristina Marazzi, 2018. "Social Interventions to Prevent Heat-Related Mortality in the Older Adult in Rome, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Monika Nitschke & Antoinette Krackowizer & Alana L. Hansen & Peng Bi & Graeme R. Tucker, 2017. "Heat Health Messages: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Preventative Messages Tool in the Older Population of South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, August.
    4. Dianne Lowe & Kristie L. Ebi & Bertil Forsberg, 2011. "Heatwave Early Warning Systems and Adaptation Advice to Reduce Human Health Consequences of Heatwaves," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-26, December.
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