Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010173
Number of Heat Wave Deaths by Diagnosis, Sex, Age Groups, and Area, in Slovenia, 2015 vs. 2003
1
Centre for Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health Slovenia, Zaloška 29, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
2
Department for Public Health, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
3
Slovenian Environment Agency, Vojkova cesta 1b, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 6 December 2017 / Revised: 5 January 2018 / Accepted: 18 January 2018 / Published: 22 January 2018
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Impacts of Warming of 1.5 °C and 2 °C)
Abstract
Background: Number of deaths increases during periods of elevated heat. Objectives: To examine whether differences in heat-related deaths between 2003 and 2015 occurred in Slovenia. Materials and Methods: We estimated relative risks for deaths for the observed diagnoses, sex, age, and area, as well as 95% confidence intervals and excess deaths associated with heat waves occurring in 2015 and 2003. For comparison between 2015 and 2003, we calculated relative risks ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Statistically significant in 2015 were the following: age group 75+, all causes of deaths (RR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.00–1.22); all population, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.30) and age group 75+, diseases of circulatory system (RR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.01–1.34). Statistically significant in 2003 were the following: female, age group 5–74, circulatory system diseases (RR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.08–2.62). Discussion: Comparison between 2015 and 2003, all, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.01–1.55); male, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.41–2.43); all, age group 75+ circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.07–1.69); male, age group 75+, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.03–2.25) and female, age group 75+, circulatory system diseases (RRR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.08–1.89). Conclusions: Public health efforts are urgent and should address circulatory system causes and old age groups. View Full-TextKeywords:
heat waves; excess deaths; vulnerabilities; cause of death; sex; age group; area
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Perčič, S.; Kukec, A.; Cegnar, T.; Hojs, A. Number of Heat Wave Deaths by Diagnosis, Sex, Age Groups, and Area, in Slovenia, 2015 vs. 2003. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 173.
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