Mortality Trends for Deaths Related to Excessive Heat (E900) and Excessive Cold (E901), Australia 1910-1997

Abstract

Mortality trends for deaths related to excessive heat and excessive cold over the period 1910-1997 in Australia were studied. It was found that there was a declining trend for deaths related to exposure to excessive heat during the study period, with a large increase in the number of deaths in 1939, 11.5/100,000 in males and 5.3/100,000 in females, compared with death rates of 4.4/100,000 and 2.5/100,000 in 1910, respectively. The narrowing of the sex differential was apparent from the early 1940s. For deaths from the effects of excessive cold, there was an identified sex difference in the mortality rates, with higher rates seen in males. The mortality rates varied for different years in males, but for females, they were consistently low. It is postulated that global warming might bring about more deaths due to excessive heat. However, improvements in working conditions and health care, and increased use of air conditioners, might act to reduce future mortality rates for excessive heat and cold in Australia. Studying the mortality trends due to exposure to excessive heat and cold and exploring potential risk or protective factors will help to develop environmental health policy to improve the occupational environment and work place protection measures, and will therefore assist with reducing such mortality.