Weather-Related Fatalities in Australia between 2006 and 2019: Applying an Equity Lens

Amy E Peden, David Heslop and Richard C Franklin ()
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Amy E Peden: School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
David Heslop: School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
Richard C Franklin: College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Extreme weather events can cause significant human, economic and infrastructure losses. Within a changing climate, heatwaves, droughts, and floods are becoming more frequent and severe. Unfortunately, those who are most vulnerable are often disproportionately impacted. In this study, we examined the epidemiology of weather-related fatalities due to excessive heat (International Classification of Diseases [ICD]-10 codes X30); excessive cold (X31); storm and flood (X37; X38); and other causes (X32, X33, X39) in Australia between 2006–2019. There were 682 deaths due directly to weather-related events (41% excessive cold; 37% excessive heat; 15% storms and floods). The mean age of a weather-related victim in Australia was 60.8 years (SD = 24.1), with people aged 65+ years 12.8 times (95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.23–17.6) more likely to die due to a weather-related event. As the planet warms our study identifies declining excessive cold-related deaths, while other types of weather events remain steady or increase. In the context of climate change we must protect those most at risk; children and adolescents due to storms and floods, those with co-morbidities (particularly circulatory system disorders) and the elderly. Special attention should be paid to preventing excessive heat-related death among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and international visitors.

Keywords: extreme weather; climate change; heat; cold; flood; storm; resilience; preparedness; co-morbidities; mortality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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