California and climate changes

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of temperature and adverse health outcomes in California are their incipient stage, as the majority of the research has been conducted in the past 5 years. Exposure has been defined primarily as apparent temperature, a combination of temperature and humidity, a measure that has been calculated from meteorologic monitors supplied by the California Irrigation Management System and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The various outcomes that have been studied include mortality and morbidity, such as hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and in one study, preterm delivery. Air pollutants have often been examined as potential confounders or effect modifiers. The results have shown a positive association between temperature and various health outcomes and have identified increased risk for infants, young children, the elderly, and Blacks and for some specific cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Identifying vulnerable subgroups for local regions will be essential to decreasing heat-related mortality and morbidity.