Health Effects Of A Heat Wave In February 2014 In The City Of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: In February 2014, during a period of intense heat, emerged a warning that there would be a rise in mortality due to the high temperatures registered in the Sao Paulo city. The aim of this study is to verify the occurrence of excess deaths during the high temperatures registered in January and February 2014. Methods: We obtained climatological data from the Emergency Management Center of the Municipality of Sao Paulo (CGE); daily ozone levels from the Sao Paulo State Environment Agency (CETESB), and mortality from the Mortality Information Improvement Program of the city of Sao Paulo (PRO-AIM) for the period December 2013 to February 2014. Excess deaths were obtained from the ratio between observed and expected deaths for each week in relation to the average mortality rate of two previous years and were evaluated using standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Results: Both the climatological and the mortality analysis highlighted the period of 02 to 15 February 2014 as 12 consecutive days with maximum temperature above 33°C, including 5 days with relative humidity below 20% and high levels of ozone. In this period there were 3,228 deaths, 743 more deaths than expected, predominantly in the age group of 60+ years old, especially deaths from diseases of the nervous system, the genitourinary system, mental disorders and circulatory system. It was possible to identify a temporal relationship between atypical weather conditions and the occurrence of excess deaths. Discussion: This study showed the effects of this extreme weather event Sao Paulo city with similar features to other countries studies. It also shows that in large cities, the weather conditions are important determinants of population health conditions and must be treated with priority for public policy.