Air temperature was associated with ambulance transports in Osaka area, Japan

Nobuyuki Miyatake,Takeshi Yoda,Noriko Sakano,Takeshi Suzue,Akira Yoshioka,Tomohiro Hirao,Shoko Murakami

doi:10.4236/health.2011.39092

Abstract

We investigated the link between ambulance transports and meteorological parameters of summer by using daily data in Osaka area, Japan. Daily observations for ambulance transports (from July 1 to September 30, 2009) were obtained from Fire Department Service in Osaka. Data of meteorological parameters in Osaka area, Japan (from July 1 to September 30, 2009) were also obtained from Japan Meteorological Agency. Effect of meteorological parameters on ambulance transports was analyzed. A total of 49,526 ambulance transports were observed from July 1 to September 30, 2009 in Osaka, Japan. Ambulance transports were significantly correlated with mean air temperature (r = 0.298), the highest air temperature (r = 0.347), the lowest air temperature (r = 0.209) and daylight hours (r = 0.301). The higher air temperature was associated with higher ambulance transports of summer in Osaka area, Japan.

Highlights

Global warming has become public health challenge in Japan
We investigated the relationship between ambulance transports and meteorological parameters by simple correlation analysis (Table 2)
Ambulance transports were significantly correlated with mean air temperature, the highest air temperature (Figure 1), the lowest air temperature and daylight hours

Summary

Introduction

Global warming has become public health challenge in Japan. Global average temperatures are predicted to increase between 1.4 ̊C and 5.8 ̊C by the end of this century [1]. We have previously showed that estimated changes in mean temperature was 1.6 ̊C for 50 years in Osaka areas, Japan [2]. By using monthly data, higher air temperature was associated with ambulance transports in Takamatsu [3] and Okayama [4] areas, Japan. Basu et al reported that the relation between elevated ambient air temperature and mortality in their review [5]. The link between ambulance transports by using daily data and meteorological parameters i.e. air temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure and daylight hours still remains to be investigated

Methods

Results

Conclusion