Tracking heat-related mortality in the United States

Heat waves are one of the most common causes of weather-related deaths in the United States (U.S.). In developing indicators for the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (Tracking Network), we examined all heat-related deaths occurring in the U.S. from 1999-2009 using mortality data obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Heat-related deaths included deaths in which exposure to excessive natural heat [International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10) code: X30] or effects of heat and light [ICD-10 code: T67] was listed either as the underlying cause or as a contributing cause of death, and excluded deaths resulting from excessive heat of man-made origin. We compared and contrasted heat-related deaths as underlying and/or contributing cause by annual variability, geography, and demographic characteristics; co-morbid conditions were characterized by age group. Finally, we calculated the economic burden associated with heat-related mortality in terms of the lifetime work loss costs. Preliminary results indicate that there were 7,820 heat-related deaths in the U.S. for 1999–2009. Heat-related deaths occurred most frequently in urban areas (81%), and the three states with the highest burden, Arizona (n=1,329), Texas (n=1,151), and California (n=823), accounted for 42% of all heat-related deaths. The majority of the deaths (n=4,132, 53%) occurred among non-Hispanic white populations. Economic burden associated with heat-related mortality was $ 6.89 Billion for 1999–2009. Understanding regional and demographic differences, associated co-morbidities, and economic impact of these deaths will provide public health decision-makers information needed to target and sustain strategies to avoid these highly preventable outcomes.