Heatwave Mortality in Summer 2020 in England

An Observational Study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15515174
AutoresRoss Thompson (0000-0002-1407-1964, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, autor de correspondencia), Owen Landeg (0000-0002-2598-4769, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Ishani Kar-Purkayastha (UK Health Security Agency), Shakoor Hajat (0000-0002-3086-362X, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Stephen Kovat (0000-0002-4823-8099, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine), Emer O’Connell (0000-0002-9887-5731, UK Health Security Agency)
Año2022
Volumen19
Número10
Páginas6123-6123
Fecha de publicación2022-05-18
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph19106123
PMID35627660
OpenAlexW4280614306
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas24

High ambient temperatures pose a significant risk to health. This study investigates the heatwave mortality in the summer of 2020 during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and related countermeasures. The heatwaves in 2020 caused more deaths than have been reported since the Heatwave Plan for England was introduced in 2004. The total and cause-specific mortality in 2020 was compared to previous heatwave events in England. The findings will help inform summer preparedness and planning in future years as society learns to live with COVID-19. Heatwave excess mortality in 2020 was similar to deaths occurring at home, in hospitals, and in care homes in the 65+ years group, and was comparable to the increases in previous years (2016-2018). The third heatwave in 2020 caused significant mortality in the younger age group (0-64) which has not been observed in previous years. Significant excess mortality was observed for cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer's and Dementia across all three heatwaves in persons aged 65+ years. There was no evidence that the heatwaves affected the proportional increase of people dying at home and not seeking heat-related health care. The most significant spike in daily mortality in August 2020 was associated with a period of high night-time temperatures. The results provide additional evidence that contextual factors are important for managing heatwave risks, particularly the importance of overheating in dwellings. The findings also suggest more action is also needed to address the vulnerability in the community and in health care settings during the acute response phase of a heatwave

Geography · New england · Observational study · Political science · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Demography · Medicine · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Internal Medicine