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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2011.37.6.397

Climate Change and Health - A Systemic Review of Low and High Temperature Effects on Mortality  

Lim, Youn-Hee (Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University)
Kim, Ho (Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.37, no.6, 2011 , pp. 397-405 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The impact of climate change on the health has been of increasing concern due to a recent temperature increase and weather abnormality, and the research results of the impact varied depending on regions. We synthesized risk estimates of the overall health effects of low and high temperature taking account of the heterogeneity. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PUBMED to identify journal articles of low and/or high temperature effects on mortality. The search was limited to the English language and epidemiological studies using time-series analysis and/or case-crossover design. Random-effect models in meta analysis were used to estimate the percent increase in mortality with $1^{\circ}C$ temperature decrease or increase with 95% confidence intervals (CI) in cold or hot days. Results: Twenty three studies were presented in two tables: 1) low temperature effects; 2) high temperature effects on mortality. The combined effects of low and high temperatures on total mortality were 2% (95% CI, 1-4%) per $1^{\circ}C$ decrease and 4% (95% CI, 2-5%) per $1^{\circ}C$ increase of temperature, respectively. Conclusions: This meta analysis found that both low and high temperatures affected mortality, and the magnitude of high temperature appeared to be stronger than that of low temperature.
Keywords
Climate change; High temperature; Low temperature; Meta analysis; Mortality;
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