Impact of Temperature Waves on the Health of Residents in Cities of the Northwestern Region of Russia

Resumo

Local trends in meteorological indicators in the northwestern cities (St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk, and Murmansk) were analyzed. Over the last two decades, the trends have demonstrated a nearly 0.9°С per decade increase in St. Petersburg and Murmansk and a more than 1.5°С per decade increase in Arkhangelsk. The health effects of cold waves on mortality were stronger than those of heat waves. Relative predictive powers of ambient air temperature and apparent temperature were compared in the study of the effects of heat waves on mortality. Ambient air temperature was more informative predictor. Wind chill index better than ambient air temperature explained variations in daily mortality during cold spells.