Mental Health Disorders and Summer Temperature-Related Mortality: A Case Crossover Study

Elisa Stivanello, Federico Chierzi, Paolo Marzaroli, Sara Zanella, Rossella Miglio, Patrizia Biavati, Vincenza Perlangeli, Domenico Berardi, Angelo Fioritti and Paolo Pandolfi
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Elisa Stivanello: Department of Pubblic Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy
Federico Chierzi: Department of Mental Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy
Paolo Marzaroli: Department of Pubblic Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy
Sara Zanella: Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Rossella Miglio: Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Patrizia Biavati: Department of Pubblic Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy
Vincenza Perlangeli: Department of Pubblic Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy
Domenico Berardi: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy
Angelo Fioritti: Department of Mental Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy
Paolo Pandolfi: Department of Pubblic Health, Azienda USL di Bologna, 40121 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-11

Abstract: Identifying the most vulnerable subjects is crucial for the effectiveness of health interventions aimed at limiting the adverse consequences of high temperatures. We conducted a case crossover study aimed at assessing whether suffering from mental health disorders modifies the effect of high temperatures on mortality. We included all deaths occurred in the area of Bologna Local Health Trust during the summers 2004–2017. Subjects with mental disorders were identified by using the local Mental Health Registry. A conditional logistic model was applied, and a z-test was used to study the effect modification. Several models were estimated stratifying by subjects’ characteristics. For every 1 °C above 24 °C, mortality among people without mental disorders increased by 1.9% (95% CI 1.0–2.6, p < 0.0001), while among mental health service users, mortality increased by 5.5% (95% CI 2.4–8.6, p < 0.0001) (z-test equal to p = 0.0259). The effect modification varied according to gender, residency and cause of death. The highest probability of dying due to an increase in temperature was registered in patients with depression and cognitive decline. In order to reduce the effects of high temperatures on mortality, health intervention strategies should include mental health patients among the most vulnerable subjects taking account of their demographic and clinical characteristics.

Keywords: high temperature; mental health; vulnerability; heat waves (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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