Evaluating Mortality Response Associated with Two Different Nordic Heat Warning Systems in Riga, Latvia

Background and objectives: Progressing climate change is accompanied by a worldwide increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of heat wave events. Research has shown that heat waves are an emerging public health problem, as they have a significant impact on mortality. As studies exploring this relationship are scarce for Latvia, this study aims to investigate the short-term associations between heat waves and all-cause mortality as well as cause-specific mortality, during the summer months (May-September) in Riga. Materials and Methods: An ecological time series study using daily reported mortality and temperature data from Riga between 2009 and 2015 was employed. Heat waves were defined based on the categories of the Latvian and Swedish heat warning system. Using a Quasi-Poisson regression, the relationships between heat waves and all-cause as well as cause-specific mortality were investigated. Results: Heat waves in Riga were associated with a 10% to 20% increase in the risk of all-cause mortality, depending on the applied heat wave definition, compared to days with normal temperature. In addition, heat-related mortality was found to increase significantly in the ≥65 age group between 12% and 22% during heat waves. In terms of cause-specific mortality, a significant increase of approximately 15% to 26% was observed for cardiovascular mortality. No significant associations were found between heat waves and respiratory or external causes of mortality. Conclusion: These results indicate that there are short-term associations between heat waves and all-cause as well as cardiovascular mortality in Riga and that heat waves therefore represent a public health problem in this Baltic city.

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Utilization of vitamin A supplementation services in high priority districts of Bihar

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20180248 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 667

Author(s):

Nivedita Sinha ◽

Rajesh R. Sinha ◽

Ajay Krishna ◽

Rashmi Singh

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Observational Study ◽

Health Problem ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Short Term ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Vitamin A Supplementation ◽

Ultimate Outcome

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major preventable public health problem. Prevalence of VAD in preschool children was 5.7% (India), and 4.5% (Bihar). India is implementing biannual Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) since 2007 along with 80 other countries. VAS was originally proposed as a short term measure, followed by dietary improvement. Since vulnerability to VAD is more in high priority districts (HPDs), it was deemed worthwhile to study the extent to which VAS programme is utilized in the 10 HPDs of Bihar with respect to the processes involved and the ultimate outcome of empowering the community with knowledge and capacity to combat VAD on their own.Methods: Cross sectional observational study conducted in 6 randomly selected blocks and 5 session sites per block of the 10 HPDs. 300 sites sampled for processes and 893 caregivers interviewed for their knowledge.Results: Out of 300 sites, 269 sites found functional, 30.85% sites had due lists and 30.11% had MCP cards; 20.44% had adequate VA. IEC displayed at 52.78% and 71.3% sessions conducted in shade. In 79.55% sites efforts made to determine age of child before administration. Correct use of recommended spoon known to 80.66%, benefits of VA to 76.57% and diseases due to VAD to 81.7% of FLWs. Knowledge regarding VA good in 33.4% of caregivers, average in 35.5%, and poor in 30.9%.Conclusions: Crucial gaps found in necessary inputs and conduct of VAS. Community knowledge found lacking for sustainable programme withdrawal. Better programme management will improve utilization.

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Depression, cardiac mortality and all-cause mortality

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment ◽

10.1192/apt.bp.107.004770 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 107-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Jeremy Seymour ◽

Tony B. Benning

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Problem ◽

Excess Mortality ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Medical Illness ◽

Major Public Health Problem ◽

Cardiac Mortality ◽

All Cause Mortality

SummaryDepression is an illness that kills. The links between depression and medical illness are well established and bi-directional, but evidence is mounting that depression increases mortality as well as morbidity in adults, particularly older adults. We examine the evidence that the increase in mortality in depression applies to all-cause mortality as well as cardiac mortality, and describe plausible physiological theories for the association. We conclude that excess mortality arising from depression is a major public health problem that is largely unrecognised and needs to be addressed by a range of clinicians.

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Heat wave–related mortality in Sweden: A case-crossover study investigating effect modification by neighbourhood deprivation

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/1403494818801615 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 428-435 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Daniel Oudin Åström ◽

Christofer Åström ◽

Bertil Forsberg ◽

Ana M. Vicedo-Cabrera ◽

Antonio Gasparrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Wave ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Warning System ◽

Daily Maximum ◽

Neighbourhood Deprivation ◽

Deprived Neighbourhoods ◽

Case Crossover ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Maximum Temperatures ◽

The Impact

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate if set thresholds in the Swedish heat-wave warning system are valid for all parts of Sweden and if the heat-wave warning system captures a potential increase in all-cause mortality and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. An additional aim was to investigate whether neighbourhood deprivation modifies the relationship between heat waves and mortality. Methods: From 1990 until 2014, in 14 municipalities in Sweden, we collected data on daily maximum temperatures and mortality for the five warmest months. Heat waves were defined according to the categories used in the current Swedish heat-wave warning system. Using a case-crossover approach, we investigated the association between heat waves and mortality in Sweden, as well as a modifying effect of neighbourhood deprivation. Results: On a national as well as a regional level, heat waves significantly increased both all-cause mortality and CHD mortality by approximately 10% and 15%, respectively. While neighbourhood deprivation did not seem to modify heat wave–related all-cause mortality, CHD mortality did seem to modify the risk. Conclusions: It may not be appropriate to assume that heat waves in Sweden will have the same impact in a northern setting as in a southern, or that the impact of heat waves will be the same in affluent and deprived neighbourhoods. When designing and implementing heat-wave warning systems, neighbourhood, regional and national information should be incorporated.

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The impact of heat waves on the elderly living in Australia: how should a heat health warning system be developed to protect them?

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj08036 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 277 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Renate van Iersel ◽

Peng Bi

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Warning System ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Early Warning Systems ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Ageing Population ◽

Important Public Health Problem ◽

Health Warning ◽

The Impact

Heat waves with extreme temperatures are increasingly being recognised as an important public health problem, together with a need to develop appropriate public health interventions. Although heat waves cannot be prevented, their harmful health consequences can be reduced by the development and implementation of early warning systems that target vulnerable regions and populations. This is particularly important for Australian society, given its ageing population structure and vulnerable characteristics of ageing people. It is crucial that a heat health warning system (HHWS) for an ageing population be based on accurate information about the location of vulnerable people, their access to communication technology, the facilities available to them and their ability to respond effectively to a HHWS. This accurate information is critical for the development and implementation of such a system. More importantly, the right stakeholders should be identified, and public’s perception and knowledge about heat waves should be evaluated.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16122245 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. 2245 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Seulkee Heo ◽

Amruta Nori-Sarma ◽

Kwonsang Lee ◽

Tarik Benmarhnia ◽

Francesca Dominici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Wave ◽

Heat Waves ◽

Economic Status ◽

Warning System ◽

Warning Systems ◽

Respiratory Mortality ◽

Blue Collar Workers ◽

Mortality Effect ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Quasi Experimental

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.

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Summary Report on the Sixth International Congress on Noise as a Public Health Problem

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/1059-0889.0303.46 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 46-50

Author(s):

Alice H. Suter

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

International Congress ◽

Summary Report ◽

Sixth International

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Kindesmisshandlung und deren Langzeitfolgen – Analyse einer repräsentativen deutschen Stichprobe

Zeitschrift für Psychiatrie Psychologie und Psychotherapie ◽

10.1024/1661-4747/a000378 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 100-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andreas Witt ◽

Rebecca Brown ◽

Paul L. Plener ◽

Elmar Brähler ◽

Jörg M. Fegert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Problem ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Nachhaltige Entwicklung

Zusammenfassung. Kindesmisshandlung stellt einen bedeutenden Risikofaktor für die Entwicklung dar. Einzelne Formen von Kindesmisshandlung treten häufig nicht isoliert auf, sondern das gemeinsame Auftreten verschiedener Formen von Kindesmisshandlung stellt eher die Regel als die Ausnahme dar. Neben den langfristigen und vielfältigen individuellen Folgen führt Kindesmisshandlung jährlich zu einer hohen gesamtgesellschaftlichen Belastung. Die WHO hat Kindesmisshandlung als großes Public Health Problem identifiziert und die Vereinten Nationen haben den Kampf gegen Kindesmisshandlung zum Ziel in ihrer Agenda für nachhaltige Entwicklung gemacht. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Häufigkeit sowie das gemeinsame Auftreten unterschiedlicher Formen von Kindesmisshandlung sowie deren Assoziation mit psychischen und somatischen Folgen auf Basis einer bevölkerungsrepräsentativen Stichprobe untersucht und dargestellt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen den Zusammenhang zwischen der Kumulation verschiedener Formen von Misshandlung und negativen Folgen für die Betroffenen. So ist das Risiko für negative Konsequenzen beim Erleben von vier oder mehr Formen von Misshandlung um das bis zu 10-fache erhöht. Viel zu selten werden die kumulativen Effekte von mehreren Belastungen berücksichtigt. Gerade weil die Wirkweisen über die Misshandlung, die Gesundheit beeinflusst, zunehmend gut untersucht sind, muss dieses Wissen im Gesundheitswesen stärker bei der Konzeption von Präventions- und Interventionsmaßnahmen berücksichtigt werden.

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