We have heard of heat waves that strike unexpectedly during summer months, capable of causing even death, but there is no scientific definition for these occurences yet.
Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health have created a definition that they use to document, for the first time, how heat wave mortality impact differs between European cities.
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Daniela D'Ippoliti from the Regional Health Authority, Rome, Italy, worked with an international team of researchers to develop the new definition and then used it to compare the impact of heat waves on mortality in different European cities. She said, "Heat waves of long duration had the greatest impact on mortality, and resulted in 1.5 to 3 times higher daily mortality than others. The elderly are most at risk during heat waves, especially women. And the excess mortality is mostly in regard to respiratory, rather than cardiovascular, mortality."
The researchers' definition of a heat wave was a period of at least two days when 'Tappmax', an interaction between maximum air temperature and humidity, was among the highest monthly 10%, or when the minimum temperature was among the highest 10% with Tappmax above the average.
![Central, North India Reel Under Heat Wave and Water Crisis]( "Central, North India Reel Under Heat Wave and Water Crisis")
With the soaring temperature breaking several old records, vast stretches of Central and North India remain in the grip of a scorching heat wave...
Speaking about future applications of this work, D'Ippoliti said, "Climate change predictions for Europe show an increase in the frequency and the intensity of heat waves, especially in central, southern and eastern Europe, and as consequence heat-related mortality will become a relevant threat even in cities usually not exposed to extreme hot temperatures. Because the impact of heat waves differs between cities, public health interventions need to be tailored to the specific needs and should focus on the elderly, especially women living in urban areas".
Source: Eurekalert
Central, North India Reel Under Heat Wave and Water Crisis
With the soaring temperature breaking several old records, vast stretches of Central and North India remain in the grip of a scorching heat wave...
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Speaking about future applications of this work, D'Ippoliti said, "Climate change predictions for Europe show an increase in the frequency and the intensity of heat waves, especially in central, southern and eastern Europe, and as consequence heat-related mortality will become a relevant threat even in cities usually not exposed to extreme hot temperatures. Because the impact of heat waves differs between cities, public health interventions need to be tailored to the specific needs and should focus on the elderly, especially women living in urban areas".
Source: Eurekalert
Global Warming Is Bringing Severe Heat Waves
A new report says that global warming is bringing more frequent and severe heat waves and the result will be serious for vulnerable populations.
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Heat Wave Kills 18 People in OrissaConstantly rising mercury has claimed 18 lives in Orissa's capital Bhubneshwar. | Advertisement
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