Heatwave Events and Mortality Outcomes in Memphis, Tennessee: Testing Effect Modification by Socioeconomic Status and Urbanicity

Ying Li, Cem Akkus, Xinhua Yu, Andrew Joyner, Jennifer Kmet, David Sweat and Chunrong Jia
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Ying Li: Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
Cem Akkus: School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
Xinhua Yu: School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
Andrew Joyner: Department of Geosciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA
Jennifer Kmet: Shelby County Health Department, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
David Sweat: Shelby County Health Department, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
Chunrong Jia: School of Public Health, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-14

Abstract: Heatwave studies typically estimate heat-related mortality and morbidity risks at the city level; few have addressed the heterogeneous risks by socioeconomic status (SES) and location within a city. This study aimed to examine the impacts of heatwaves on mortality outcomes in Memphis, Tennessee, a Mid-South metropolitan area top-ranked in morbidity and poverty rates, and to investigate the effects of SES and urbanicity. Mortality data were retrieved from the death records in 2008–2017, and temperature data from the Applied Climate Information System. Heatwave days were defined based on four temperature metrics. Heatwave effects on daily total-cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality were evaluated using Poisson regression, accounting for temporal trends, sociodemographic factors, urbanicity, and air pollution. We found higher cardiovascular mortality risk (cumulative RR (relative risk) = 1.25, 95% CI (confidence interval): 1.01–1.55) in heatwave days defined as those with maximum daily temperature >95th percentile for more than two consecutive days. The effects of heatwaves on mortality did not differ by SES, race, or urbanicity. The findings of this study provided evidence to support future heatwave planning and studies of heatwave and health impacts at a coarser geographic resolution.

Keywords: heatwave; mortality; socioeconomic status; urbanicity; relative risk; Memphis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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