ETEC - Study of Extreme Temperature Effects in Catalonia

Duration

2009-2012

Coordinator

Xavier Basagaña Flores

Climate change predict not only an increase in the average temperature of the planet between 1.1 and 6.4ºC by 2100, but also changes in the frequency of extreme weather events. Variations in morbidity and mortality rates have been associated with temperature changes. International studies have shown that the magnitude of the temperature effects on mortality differs substantially across different regions. It has been hypothesized that this variability may be due not only to physiological adaptation, but also to differences in technological adaptations, socio-demographic characteristics, protective behavior and characteristics of urban landscape among others. Consequently, estimates of the temperature effects in one region cannot be easily extrapolated to other regions and local assessments are desirable.

Aims: 1) Assess the association between cold and hot temperature and all-cause and cause-specific mortality 2) Identify subpopulations particularly vulnerable to these effects 3) Study the temporal and spatial variation of the effects 4) Study the determinants of temporal and spatial variation.

Methods: All mortality data in Catalonia from 1983-2006 has been obtained from the mortality registry, and street addresses have been geocoded. Meteorological data was obtained from 69 weather stations, and temperature of the closest station was assigned to each death. Socio-economic data was obtained from the census. Analyses will be performed using time-series methods and case-crossover analyses.