Perceived Adverse Health Effects of Heat and Their Determinants in Deprived Neighbourhoods: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nine Cities in Canada

Diane Bélanger, Pierre Gosselin, Pierre Valois and Belkacem Abdous
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Diane Bélanger: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique Centre Eau Terre Environnement, 490, rue de la Couronne, QC G1K 9A9, Canada
Pierre Gosselin: Institut National de Santé Publique du Québec, 945, Avenue Wolfe, QC G1V 5B3, Canada
Pierre Valois: Université Laval, 2325 rue de l'Université, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Belkacem Abdous: Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, 2705, Boulevard Laurier, QC G1V 4G2, Canada

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-26

Abstract: This study identifies several characteristics of individuals who report their physical and/or mental health as being adversely affected by summertime heat and humidity, within the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods of the nine largest cities of Québec (Canada). The study is cross-sectional by stratified representative sample; 3485 people were interviewed in their residence. The prevalence of reported impacts was 46%, mostly physical health. Female gender and long-term medical leave are two impact risk indicators in people <65 years of age. Low income and air conditioning at home are risk indicators at all ages. Results for having ?2 diagnoses of chronic diseases, particularly for people self-describing as in poor health (odds ratio, OR <65 = 5.6; OR ?65 = 4.2), and perceiving daily stress, are independent of age. The prevalence of reported heat-related health impacts is thus very high in those inner cities, with notable differences according to age, stress levels and long-term medical leave, previously unmentioned in the literature. Finally, the total number of pre-existing medical conditions seems to be a preponderant risk factor. This study complements the epidemiologic studies based on mortality or severe morbidity and shows that the heat-related burden of disease appears very important in those communities, affecting several subgroups differentially.

Keywords: heat waves; health impacts; deprived neighbourhoods; sex; long-term medical leave (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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