Challenges associated with projecting urbanization-induced heat-related mortality

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 490; pp. 538 - 544
• Main Authors: Hondula, David M., Georgescu, Matei, Balling, Robert C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 15.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: air temperature; Arizona; Biological and medical sciences; climate; Climate Change; climate models; Climatology. Bioclimatology. Climate change; decision making; Earth, ocean, space; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Exact sciences and technology; exposure scenario; External geophysics; Extreme heat; Health; heat island; Heat-related mortality; Hot Temperature; human health; Humans; issues and policy; Medical sciences; Meteorology; Models, Theoretical; mortality; Mortality - trends; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; regression analysis; risk; Risk Assessment; simulation models; uncertainty; Urbanization; Urbanization - trends; United States; North America; Arizona; America; USA, Arizona; Heat-related mortality; Urbanization; Climate change; Health; Extreme heat; Atmospheric condition; Dog days; Mortality; Dynamical climatology; Health and environment; Global change; Perspective projection; Public health; Anthropogenic factor; Environment quality

Maricopa County, Arizona, anchor to the fastest growing megapolitan area in the United States, is located in a hot desert climate where extreme temperatures are associated with elevated risk of mortality. Continued urbanization in the region will impact atmospheric temperatures and, as a result, pot...