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Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Climate and respiratory disease in Auckland, New Zealand

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Gosai A, Salinger J, Dirks K
2009
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 33 (6): 521-526

Objective: Increases in the incidence of diseases are often observed during the cold winter months, particularly in cities in temperate climates. The study aim is to describe daily, monthly and seasonal trends in respiratory hospital admissions with climate in Auckland, New Zealand. Methods: Daily hospital admissions for total respiratory infections or inflammations (RII), total bronchitis and asthma (BA), and total whooping cough and acute bronchitis (TWCAB) for various age groups and ethnicities were obtained for the Auckland Region and compared with climate parameters on daily, monthly and seasonal time scales. Results: Seasonal and monthly relationships with minimum temperature were very strong (p<0.001) for RII over all age groups, for BA in the older age groups (14-64, 65+) and for TWCAB in the <1 year old age group. European, NZ Māori and Pacific Islanders all showed increases in admissions as temperatures decreased. Pacific Islanders were particularly susceptible to RII. There was a lag in admissions of three to seven days after a temperature event. Conclusions and Implications: Results show that increases in respiratory admissions are strongly linked to minimum temperatures during winter, typical of cities with temperate climates and poorly-insulated houses. There are implications for hospital bed and staffing planning in Auckland hospitals.

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Resource Description

    Temperature
    • Temperature: Cold, Heat
    General Geographic Feature
    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Australasia
    Respiratory Impact
    • Respiratory Impact: Asthma, Bronchitis/Pneumonia
    Research Article
    Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm, Vulnerability Assessment
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Health Professional
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Sociodemographic Vulnerability, Vulnerable Population: Children, Elderly, Low Socioeconomic Status
    Other Socioeconomic Scenario, Specify
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