Ambulance dispatches and heatwaves in Tasmania, Australia : a case-crossover analysis
Campbell, Sharon L. and Remenyi, Tomas and Williamson, Grant J. and Rollins, Dean and White, Christopher J. and Johnston, Fay H. (2021) Ambulance dispatches and heatwaves in Tasmania, Australia : a case-crossover analysis. Environmental Research, 202. 111655. ISSN 1096-0953 (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111655)
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Abstract
Background: Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency and severity of heatwave events, with a corresponding negative impact on human health. Health service utilisation during a heatwave is increased, with a greater risk of poor health outcomes identified for specific population groups. In this study, we examined the impact of heatwave events on ambulance dispatches in Tasmania, Australia from 2008 to 2019 to explore health service utilisation and identify the most vulnerable populations at a local level. Methods: We used a time-stratified case-crossover analysis with conditional logistic regression to examine the association between ambulance dispatches and three levels of heatwave events (extreme, severe, and low-intensity). We examined the relationship for the whole study population, and by age, gender, socio-economic advantage and clinical diagnostic group. Results: We found that ambulance dispatches increase by 34% (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.18–1.52) during extreme heatwaves, by 10% (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05–1.15) during severe heatwaves and by 4% (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.06) during low-intensity heatwaves. We found significant associations for the elderly (over 65), the young (5 and under) and for regions with the greatest socio-economic disadvantage. Conclusion: Heatwaves were associated with increased demands on ambulance services in Tasmania. In subgroups of people aged over 65 or under 5 years of age, and those from areas of higher disadvantage, we generally observed greater effect sizes than for the population as a whole.
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Item type: Article ID code: 77122 Dates: DateEvent30 November 2021Published10 July 2021Published Online3 July 2021AcceptedSubjects: Technology > Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) > Environmental engineering Department: Faculty of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 15 Jul 2021 13:34 Last modified: 04 Oct 2024 00:36 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/77122