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The Impact of Heatwaves on Community Morbidity and Healthcare Usage: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance

Author

Listed:
  • Sue Smith

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Public Health England, Birmingham B3 2PW, UK)

  • Alex J. Elliot

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Public Health England, Birmingham B3 2PW, UK)

  • Shakoor Hajat

    (NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK)

  • Angie Bone

    (Extreme Events and Health Protection, Public Health England, London SE1 8UG, UK)

  • Chris Bates

    (ResearchOne, The Phoenix Partnership, Leeds LS18 5TN, UK)

  • Gillian E. Smith

    (Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance Team, Public Health England, Birmingham B3 2PW, UK)

  • Sari Kovats

    (NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1H 9SH, UK)

Abstract

We investigated the impact of a moderate heatwave on a range of presenting morbidities in England. Asthma, difficulty breathing, cerebrovascular accident, and cardiovascular symptoms were analysed using general practitioner in hours (GPIH), out of hours (GPOOH) and emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance systems. Data were stratified by age group and compared between a heatwave year (2013) and non-heatwave years (2012, 2014). Incidence rate ratios were calculated to estimate the differential impact of heatwave compared to non-heatwave summers: there were no apparent differences for the morbidities tested between the 2013 heatwave and non-heatwave years. A subset of GPIH data were used to study individuals at higher risk from heatwaves based on their pre-existing disease. Higher risk patients were not more likely to present at GPs or ED than other individuals. Comparing GPIH consultations and ED attendances for myocardial infarction/ischaemia (MI), there was evidence of a fall in the presentation of MI during the heatwave, which was particularly noted in the 65–74 years age group (and over 75 years in ED attendances). These results indicate the difficulty in identifying individuals at risk from non-fatal health effects of heatwaves and hot weather.

Suggested Citation

  • Sue Smith & Alex J. Elliot & Shakoor Hajat & Angie Bone & Chris Bates & Gillian E. Smith & Sari Kovats, 2016. "The Impact of Heatwaves on Community Morbidity and Healthcare Usage: A Retrospective Observational Study Using Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:132-:d:62321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mengmeng Li & Shaohua Gu & Peng Bi & Jun Yang & Qiyong Liu, 2015. "Heat Waves and Morbidity: Current Knowledge and Further Direction-A Comprehensive Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-28, May.
    2. Vandentorren, S. & Suzan, F. & Medina, S. & Pascal, M. & Maulpoix, A. & Cohen, J.-C. & Ledrans, M., 2004. "Mortality in 13 French cities during the August 2003 heat wave," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(9), pages 1518-1520.
    3. Whitman, S. & Good, G. & Donoghue, E.R. & Benbow, N. & Shou, W. & Mou, S., 1997. "Mortality in Chicago attributed to the July 1995 heat wave," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 87(9), pages 1515-1518.
    4. GS Leonardi & S Hajat & RS Kovats & GE Smith & D Cooper & E Gerard, 2006. "Syndromic surveillance use to detect the early effects of heat-waves: an analysis of NHS Direct data in England," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 51(4), pages 194-201, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alina Herrmann & Rainer Sauerborn, 2018. "General Practitioners’ Perceptions of Heat Health Impacts on the Elderly in the Face of Climate Change—A Qualitative Study in Baden-Württemberg, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Mahmoud Alsaiqali & Katrien De Troeyer & Lidia Casas & Rafiq Hamdi & Christel Faes & Gijs Van Pottelbergh, 2022. "The Effects of Heatwaves on Human Morbidity in Primary Care Settings: A Case-Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Nguyen Thi Trang Nhung & Le Tu Hoang & Tran Thi Tuyet Hanh & Luu Quoc Toan & Nguyen Duc Thanh & Nguyen Xuan Truong & Nguyen Anh Son & Hoong Van Nhat & Nguyen Huu Quyen & Ha Van Nhu, 2023. "Effects of Heatwaves on Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases, in Southern Vietnam, 2010–2018: Time Series Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, February.
    4. Andri Pyrgou & Mat Santamouris, 2018. "Increasing Probability of Heat-Related Mortality in a Mediterranean City Due to Urban Warming," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-14, July.

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