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Trends in heat-related mortality in the United States, 1975–2004

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Abstract

This study addresses the long-term trends in heat-related mortality across 29 US metropolitan areas from 1975 to 2004 to discern the spatial patterns and temporal trends in heat vulnerability. Mortality data have been standardized to account for population trends, and seasonal and interannual variability. On days when a city experienced an “oppressive” air mass, mean anomalous mortality was calculated, along with the likelihood that oppressive days led to a mortality response at least one standard deviation above the baseline value. Results show a general decline in heat-related mortality from the 1970s to 1990s, after which the decline seems to have abated. The likelihood of oppressive days leading to significant increases in mortality has shown less of a decline. The number of oppressive days has stayed the same or increased at most metropolitan areas. With US homes near saturation in terms of air-conditioning availability, an aging population is still significantly vulnerable to heat events.

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Acknoweldgments

The authors wish to express their appreciation to the US National Weather Service and Environmental Protection Agency for their continued financial support of our heat/health research; and to the two anonymous reviewers for their prompt and thorough reviews.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Kent State University, 413 McGilvrey Hall, Kent, OH, 44242, USA

    Scott C. Sheridan

  2. School of Geographical Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA

    Adam J. Kalkstein

  3. Department of Geography and Regional Studies, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Laurence S. Kalkstein

Authors
  1. Scott C. Sheridan
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  2. Adam J. Kalkstein
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  3. Laurence S. Kalkstein
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Correspondence to Scott C. Sheridan.

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Sheridan, S.C., Kalkstein, A.J. & Kalkstein, L.S. Trends in heat-related mortality in the United States, 1975–2004. Nat Hazards 50, 145–160 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-008-9327-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-008-9327-2

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