Heat Wave Morbidity and Mortality, Milwaukee, Wis, 1999 vs 1995: An Improved Response?
Marc G. Weisskopf, PhD,
Henry A. Anderson, MD,
Seth Foldy, MD,
Lawrence P. Hanrahan, PhD,
Kathleen Blair, MS, RN,
Thomas J. Török, MD and
Peter D. Rumm, MD
At the time of this study, Marc G. Weisskopf was with the Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga, assigned to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Madison. Henry A. Anderson, Lawrence P. Hanrahan, and Peter D. Rumm are with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Madison. Seth Foldy and Kathleen Blair are with the City of Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee, Wis. Seth Foldy is also with the Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Thomas J. Török is with the Epidemiology Program Office, Division of Applied Public Health Training, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.
Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Marc G. Weisskopf, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, 665 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (e-mail: mweissko{at}hsph.harvard.edu).
Objectives. This study examined whether differences in heatalone, as opposed to public health interventions or other factors,accounted for the reduction in heat-related deaths and paramedicemergency medical service (EMS) runs between 1995 and 1999 during2 heat waves occurring in Milwaukee, Wis.
Methods. Two previously described prediction models were adaptedto compare expected and observed heat-related morbidity andmortality in 1999 based on the city's 1995 experience.
Results. Both models showed that heat-related deaths and EMSruns in 1999 were at least 49% lower than levels predicted bythe 1995 relation between heat and heat-related deaths or EMSruns.
Conclusions. Reductions in heat-related morbidity and mortalityin 1999 were not attributable to differences in heat levelsalone. Changes in public health preparedness and response mayalso have contributed to these reductions.
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