Sensitivity to heat: A comparative study of Phoenix, Arizona and Chicago, Illinois (2003-2006)

Wen Ching Chuang, Patricia Gober, Winston T L Chow, Jay Golden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research on how heat impacts human health has increased as climate change threatens to raise temperatures to new extremes. Excessive heat exposure increases death rates, as well as rates of nonfatal, adverse health outcomes. This study used the negative binomial regression model to examine the relationship between daily maximum temperature, heat index, and heat-related emergency calls in Phoenix, Arizona and Chicago, Illinois, from 2003 to 2006. Using model results, we estimated call volumes in a warmer climate, with temperature increase from 1 to 5.5. °C. We found that: (1) heat-stress calls increase sharply when the temperature exceeds about 35. °C in Chicago and in 45. °C Phoenix; (2) warmer climate could seriously threaten human health and existing emergency response system in Chicago more than in Phoenix. Policies to reduce heat impacts in Phoenix should focus on reducing prolonged heat exposure, while Chicago should build a strong early-warning system for extreme heat events and provide sufficient resources and infrastructure to mitigate heat stress during those events.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-18
Number of pages18
JournalUrban Climate
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2013

Keywords

  • Adaptive capacity
  • Climate change
  • Heat exposure
  • Heat-stress emergency calls
  • Sensitivity
  • Vulnerability assessment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
  • Urban Studies
  • Atmospheric Science

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