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Cited by 547Climate Change and Health ImpactsThermoregulation and physiological responsesUrban Heat Island Mitigation

Heat wave impact on morbidity and mortality in the elderly population: a review of recent studies

Oudin Åström, Daniel, Bertil, Forsberg, Joacim, Rocklöv·2011·Maturitas
DOI 10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.03.008
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Abstract

Background The on-going climate change is predicted to yield a growing number of extreme climate events which will increase in both intensity and frequency. Increased longevity is changing society's demographics. It is very likely this will have a direct impact on population health. Many studies have previously shown that the elderly in a society are among the most vulnerable to heat waves.Objectives With a rapidly growing number of publications on this subject the objective was to review the recent literature for research regarding the impact of heat waves and elevated temperature on the elderly with regards to mortality and morbidity.Methods PubMed was searched to identify studies published in English between 1st of January 2008 and 31st of December 2010 using the following key words: heat wave, mortality, morbidity, elderly and temperature. The relationship between high temperature and mortality and/or morbidity had to be studied. Results for the elderly had to be provided.Results Six studies of temperature-morbidity-relationship were found and 24 studies of temperature-mortality-relationship. Studies consistently reported increases in cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, as appeared also respiratory admissions to do during hot days and heat waves. However, the number of studies on morbidity published was much fewer. Few studies reported social, medical and environmental susceptibility factors.Conclusions Future research should focus on studying susceptibilities and to non-fatal events which are not as studied as mortality. Studies on the modification of type of urban environment, housing and mortality and morbidity in the elderly population are also needed.

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  • Regardless of race and gender, individuals over 65 are more susceptible than younger counterparts to heat-related mortality.

    “Regardless of race and gender, individuals over the age of 65 are more susceptible than their younger counterparts to heat-related mortality.(Astrom, Forsberg, and Rocklov 2011;McGeehin and Mirabelli 2001)”

    From Successful aging: Advancing the science of physical independence in older adults (2015) · cites this paper as Astrom et al. 2011

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Authors
Oudin Åström, D., Bertil, F., & Joacim, R.
Venue
Maturitas
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-06
Volume
69
Issue
2
Pages
99-105
ISSN
0378-5122 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.03.008
OpenAlex
W2079361870
Cited by
547
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 46 · 2025: 42 · 2024: 58 · 2023: 50 · 2022: 49 · 2021: 46 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 39 · 2018: 39 · 2017: 30 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 8
FWCI
1.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Maturitas (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Climate Change and Health Impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Engineering › Urban Heat Island Mitigation
Keywords
heat waves, older adults, heat-related mortality, heat-related morbidity, temperature-mortality relationship, cardiovascular mortality, respiratory mortality, respiratory hospital admissions, climate change, climate extremes, population health, vulnerability factors, urban environment, housing
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Humans, Respiratory Tract Diseases, Greenhouse Effect, Extreme Heat

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