Citation

Weisskopf MG, Anderson HA, Foldy SL, Hanrahan LP, Blair K, Torok TJ, Rumm PD. Am. J. Public Health 2002; 92(5): 830-833.

Affiliation

Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga, USA. mweissko@hsph.harvard.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, American Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11988455

PMCID

PMC1447169

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether differences in heat alone, as opposed to public health interventions or other factors, accounted for the reduction in heat-related deaths and paramedic emergency medical service (EMS) runs between 1995 and 1999 during 2 heat waves occurring in Milwaukee, Wis. METHODS: Two previously described prediction models were adapted to compare expected and observed heat-related morbidity and mortality in 1999 based on the city's 1995 experience. RESULTS: Both models showed that heat-related deaths and EMS runs in 1999 were at least 49% lower than levels predicted by the 1995 relation between heat and heat-related deaths or EMS runs. CONCLUSIONS: Reductions in heat-related morbidity and mortality in 1999 were not attributable to differences in heat levels alone. Changes in public health preparedness and response may also have contributed to these reductions.