A Case-Crossover Analysis of Indoor Heat Exposure on Mortality and Hospitalizations among the Elderly in Houston, Texas

O’Lenick, Cassandra; Baniassadi, Amir; Michael, Ryan; Monaghan, Andrew; Boehnert, Jennifer; Yu, Xiao; Hayden, Mary H.; Wiedinmyer, Christine; Zhang, Kai; Crank, Peter J.; Heusinger, Jannik; Hoel, Paige; Wilhelmi, Olga

doi:10.1289/ehp6340

Cited by 22 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Extensive literature has focused on heat exposure in outdoor environments and its associated human health impacts, and the health impacts from extreme heat have used ambient meteorological measures [ 9 ]. However, the available data on indoor heat exposure and its effect on human health is relatively limited compared to that of outdoor heat exposure, and most studies are on a small scale (e.g., individual buildings, a group of homes) [ 10 , 11 ]. For example, Williams and colleagues conducted a study on low-income senior residents (n = 51) in public housing in Cambridge, Massachusetts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multistate Study on Housing Factors Influential to Heat-Related Illness in the United States

Zhang

Nguyen

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of devastating and unpredictable extreme heat events, developments to the built environment should consider instigating practices that minimize the likelihood of indoor overheating during hot weather. Heatwaves are the leading cause of death among weather-related causes worldwide, including in developed and developing countries. In this empirical study, a four-step approach was used to collect, extract and analyze data from twenty-seven states in the United States. Three housing characteristic categories (i.e., general housing conditions, living conditions, and housing thermal inertia) and eight variables were extracted from the American Housing Survey database, ResStock database and CDC’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network. Multivariable regression models were used to understand the influential variables, a multicollinearity test was used to determine the dependence of those variables, and then a logistic model was used to verify the results. Three variables—housing age (HA), housing crowding ratio (HCR), and roof condition (RC)—were found to be correlated with the risk of heat-related illness (HRI) indexes. Then, a logistic regression model was generated using the three variables to predict the risk of heat-related emergency department visits (EDV) and heat-related mortality (MORD) on a state level. The results indicate that the proposed logistic regression model correctly predicted 100% of the high-risk states for MORD for the eight states tested. Overall, this analysis provides additional evidence about the housing character variables that influence HRI. The outcomes also reinforce the concept of the built environment determined health and demonstrate that the built environment, especially housing, should be considered in techniques for mitigating climate change-exacerbated health conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multistate Study on Housing Factors Influential to Heat-Related Illness in the United States

Zhang

Nguyen

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Indeed, even our review sample included studies that examined a range of temperatures (with no focus on extreme heat) or did not include significance testing but demonstrated higher rates of illness with higher temperatures (e.g., Davis et al, 2020). Recent work focuses on indoor heat exposure, whether tied to extreme heat episodes or not, and its relation to morbidity and mortality is occurring (O'Lenick et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse heat‐health outcomes and critical environmental limits (Pennsylvania State University Human Environmental Age Thresholds project)

Wolf

Vecellio

Kenney

2022

American J Hum Biol

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Background The earth's climate is warming and the frequency, duration, and severity of heat waves are increasing. Meanwhile, the world's population is rapidly aging. Epidemiological data demonstrate exponentially greater increases in morbidity and mortality during heat waves in adults ≥65 years. Laboratory data substantiate the mechanistic underpinnings of age‐associated differences in thermoregulatory function. However, the specific combinations of environmental conditions (i.e., ambient temperature and absolute/relative humidity) above which older adults are at increased risk of heat‐related morbidity and mortality are less clear. Methods This review was conducted to (1) examine the recent (past 3 years) literature regarding heat‐related morbidity and mortality in the elderly and discuss projections of future heat‐related morbidity and mortality based on climate model data, and (2) detail the background and unique methodology of our ongoing laboratory‐based projects aimed toward identifying the specific environmental conditions that result in elevated risk of heat illness in older adults, and the implications of using the data toward the development of evidence‐based safety interventions in a continually‐warming climate (PSU HEAT; Human Environmental Age Thresholds). Results The recent literature demonstrates that extreme heat continues to be increasingly detrimental to the health of the elderly and that this is apparent across the world, although the specific environmental conditions above which older adults are at increased risk of heat‐related morbidity and mortality remain unclear. Conclusion Characterizing the environmental conditions above which risk of heat‐related illnesses increase remains critical to enact policy decisions and mitigation efforts to protect vulnerable people during extreme heat events.

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“…To date, extensive research has established temperature-mortality relationships ( Anderson et al, 2013 ; Gasparrini et al, 2015 ; O'Lenick et al, 2020 ), explored the interactions among heat hazard, urban populations, and the built environment with a focus on vulnerable groups, urban heat island effect, and heat health risks ( Gronlund et al, 2018 ; Harlan et al, 2013 ; Heaton et al, 2014 ; O'Lenick et al, 2019 ). Previous studies proposed methods for mapping extreme heat vulnerability ( Conlon et al, 2020 ; Heaton et al, 2014 ; Reid et al, 2009 ; Uejio et al, 2011 ) and provided key insights into the processes that drive social vulnerability to extreme heat, including individual decision-making and broader societal factors ( Wilhelmi & Hayden, 2010 ; Hayden et al, 2011 , 2017 ; Harlan et al, 2013 ; Heaton et al, 2014 ; Esplin et al, 2019 ; Howe et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographic and demographic variation in worry about extreme heat and COVID-19 risk in summer 2020

et al. 2023

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A Case-Crossover Analysis of Indoor Heat Exposure on Mortality and Hospitalizations among the Elderly in Houston, Texas

Cited by 22 publications

References 73 publications

A Multistate Study on Housing Factors Influential to Heat-Related Illness in the United States

A Multistate Study on Housing Factors Influential to Heat-Related Illness in the United States

Adverse heat‐health outcomes and critical environmental limits (Pennsylvania State University Human Environmental Age Thresholds project)

Geographic and demographic variation in worry about extreme heat and COVID-19 risk in summer 2020

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