Temporal and spatial variation of heat-related illness using 911 medical dispatch data

• Published in: Environmental research Vol. 109; no. 5; pp. 600 - 606
• Main Authors: Bassil, Kate L., Cole, Donald C., Moineddin, Rahim, Craig, Alan M., Wendy Lou, W.Y., Schwartz, Brian, Rea, Elizabeth
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.07.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Climate change; Emergency Medical Service Communication Systems; Emergency medical services; Environment. Living conditions; Heat Stress Disorders - epidemiology; Heat Stress Disorders - therapy; Hot weather; Housing. Living conditions; Humans; Medical sciences; Ontario - epidemiology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Spatial analysis; Temperature; Urban Health; Canada; North America; America; Ontario; Canada, Ontario; Canada, Ontario, Toronto; Spatial analysis; Climate change; Temperature; Emergency medical services; Hot weather; Human; Atmospheric condition; Dog days; Health; Environmental factor; Urban area; Spatial variation; Time variation; Morbidity; Dynamical climatology; Weather; Heat; Geographic distribution; Emergency; Public health
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.03.011

The adverse effect of hot weather on health in urban communities is of increasing public health concern, particularly given trends in climate change. To demonstrate the potential public health applications of monitoring 911 medical dispatch data for heat-related illness (HRI), using historical data for the summer periods (June 1–August 31) during 2002–2005 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The temporal distribution of the medical dispatch calls was described in relation to a current early warning system and emergency department data from the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS). Geospatial methods were used to map the percentage of heat-related calls in each Toronto neighborhood over the study period. The temporal pattern of 911 calls for HRI was similar, and sometimes peaked earlier, than current heat health warning systems (HHWS). The pattern of calls was similar to NACRS HRI visits, with the exception of 2005 where 911 calls peaked earlier. Areas of the city with a relatively higher burden of HRI included low income inner-city neighborhoods, areas with high rates of street-involved individuals, and areas along the waterfront which include summer outdoor recreational activities. Identifying the temporal trends and geospatial patterns of these important environmental health events has the potential to direct targeted public health interventions to mitigate associated morbidity and mortality.