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Number of Heat-Related Deaths is Underestimated by Over 50%

by VR Sreeraman on Dec 22 2006 4:22 PM

The number of heat-related deaths is underestimated and underreported in the US and elsewhere, claims an important new study published in Biomedical Market Newsletter(R).

A new analysis by government experts shows that the number of heat-related deaths is actually 54% higher than previously reported.

"In this analysis, the inclusion of hyperthermia as a contributing cause of death increased by 54% the total number of heat-related deaths during 1999-2003 that would have been counted through inclusion of a heat-related underlying cause alone. Because heat-related illnesses can exacerbate existing medical conditions, and death from heat exposure can be preceded by various symptoms, heat-related deaths can be difficult to identify when illness onset or death is not witnessed by a clinician."

Unfortunately, the "criteria used to determine heat-related causes of death vary among states. This can lead to underreporting heat-related deaths or to reporting heat as a factor contributing to death rather than the underlying cause," the experts concluded.

Prompt treatment of heat-related illnesses with aggressive fluid replacement and cooling of core body temperature is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality, officials stress.

Source-BMN
SRM


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