Mortality risk related to heatwaves in Finland – Factors affecting vulnerability

Kollanus, Virpi; Tiittanen, Pekka; Lanki, Timo

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.111503

Cited by 40 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The effects were indeed strongest among the older population groups as demonstrated by previous literature. 8 (p1), 12 , 25 (p. 600) However, against our expectations, we were in several cases unable to detect an elevated risk among older people with pre-existing medical conditions, which could indicate that individuals in these groups are mostly aware of the health risks connected to heat waves and are prepared to protect themselves. However, individuals with Alzheimer's disease/dementia were one of the groups among which a higher effect on hospitalization and mortality was found.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

“…44 Kollanus et al defined heat wave as a period in which the daily mean temperature exceeds the 90th percentile of that from May to August during the years 2000–2014, or about 20°C. 8 (p1) They found average mortality effects of 6.7 percent in the age group 65–74 and 12.8 percent during all heat wave days in the age group 75 or older. 8 (p1)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 (p1) They found average mortality effects of 6.7 percent in the age group 65–74 and 12.8 percent during all heat wave days in the age group 75 or older. 8 (p1)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have examined this relationship in Finland. 6,8,9 There are differences in the results globally, possibly due to differences in statistical methods, local demographics, local health care systems, and data availability. The threshold temperature at which health effects start to emerge also varies geographically, as mortality is often at its lowest point around the local most frequent temperature.…”

Section: Previous Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate Change and Health: Consequences of High Temperatures among Vulnerable Groups in Finland

Astone

Vaalavuo

2022

International Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Heal

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In this article, we examine the effects of high temperatures on hospital visits and mortality in Finland. This provides new information of the topic in a context of predominantly cool temperatures. Unique, individual-level data are used to examine the relationship at the municipality-month level over a span of 20 years. Linear regression methods alongside high-dimensional fixed effects are used to minimize confounding variation. Analysis is conducted with special emphasis on the elderly population, as well as on specific elderly risk groups identified in previous literature. We show that for an additional day per month above 25°C, monthly all-cause mortality increases by 1.5 percent (95% CI: 0.4%–2.6%) and acute hospital visits increase by 1.1 percent (95% CI: 0.7%–1.6%). We also find some evidence that these effects are elevated in selected population subgroups, the low-income elderly, and people with dementia. Hospital visits also increase among younger age groups, illustrating the importance of using multiple health indicators. Such detailed evidence is important for identifying vulnerable groups as extreme heat waves are expected to become more frequent and intense in northern countries.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 (p1) They found average mortality effects of 6.7 percent in the age group 65–74 and 12.8 percent during all heat wave days in the age group 75 or older. 8 (p1)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Previous Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Climate Change and Health: Consequences of High Temperatures among Vulnerable Groups in Finland

Astone

Vaalavuo

2022

International Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Heal

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“…Because people living in the Baltic Sea region are adapted to a relatively cool climate, high summertime temperatures pose a significant risk to health in the current climate (e.g. Kollanus et al, 2021;Åström et al, 2016;Ruuhela et al, 2018Ruuhela et al, , 2021, highlighting the need for measures against overheating of residential buildings (Velashjerdi Farahani et al, 2021).…”

Section: Warm and Cold Spells In The Atmospherementioning

confidence: 99%

Natural hazards and extreme events in the Baltic Sea region

et al. 2022

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Abstract. A natural hazard is a naturally occurring extreme event that has a negative effect on people and society or the environment. Natural hazards may have severe implications for human life and can potentially generate economic losses and damage ecosystems. A better understanding of their major causes, probability of occurrence, and consequences enables society to be better prepared to save human lives as well as to invest in adaptation options. Natural hazards related to climate change are identified as one of the Grand Challenges in the Baltic Sea region. Here, we summarize existing knowledge about extreme events in the Baltic Sea region with a focus on the past 200 years as well as on future climate scenarios. The events considered here are the major hydro-meteorological events in the region and include wind storms, extreme waves, high and low sea levels, ice ridging, heavy precipitation, sea-effect snowfall, river floods, heat waves, ice seasons, and drought. We also address some ecological extremes and the implications of extreme events for society (phytoplankton blooms, forest fires, coastal flooding, offshore infrastructure, and shipping). Significant knowledge gaps are identified, including the response of large-scale atmospheric circulation to climate change and also concerning specific events, for example, the occurrence of marine heat waves and small-scale variability in precipitation. Suggestions for future research include the further development of high-resolution Earth system models and the potential use of methodologies for data analysis (statistical methods and machine learning). With respect to the expected impacts of climate change, changes are expected for sea level, extreme precipitation, heat waves and phytoplankton blooms (increase), and cold spells and severe ice winters (decrease). For some extremes (drying, river flooding, and extreme waves), the change depends on the area and time period studied.

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