Abstract:
Objective To analyze the effects of extreme temperatures on traffic injuries in Zigong, Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2019, and to provide a reference for developing intervention strategies for extreme temperature-related traffic injuries.
Methods Daily meteorological data and volume of emergency medical services for traffic injuries in Zigong from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, were collected. A distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the association between extreme temperatures and volume of emergency medical services for traffic injuries. The attributable fraction (AF) was calculated, and stratified analyses were performed by sex and age.
Results A total of 11 159 traffic injury cases were collected. Extreme temperatures were associated with an increased risk of traffic injuries. The greatest effect of extreme high temperatures occurred at lag 0-5 d, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.865 (95% confidence interval CI: 1.253-2.775). The greatest effect of extreme low temperatures occurred at lag 9 d, with an RR of 1.024 (95% CI: 1.001-1.048). Extreme temperatures affected the volume of emergency medical services for traffic injuries for both sexes. For males, the greatest effects of extreme high and low temperatures were observed at lag 0-5 d and lag 8 d, with RRs of 1.946 (95% CI: 1.238-3.059) and 1.029 (95% CI: 1.003-1.055), respectively. For females, the greatest effect of extreme high temperatures occurred at lag 0-14 d, with an RR of 2.273 (95% CI: 1.053-4.910). In age-stratified analysis, the effects of extreme high and low temperatures were greater for individuals aged ≥65 years, with the greatest effects observed at lag 0-14 d and lag 8 d, and RRs of 3.196 (95% CI: 1.128-9.055) and 1.053 (95% CI: 1.001-1.107), respectively. Extreme high temperatures presented a higher attributable burden, with an AF of 1.41% (95% empirical CI eCI: 0.09%-2.45%). The attributable burden of extreme high temperatures was higher among females and individuals aged ≥65 years, with AFs of 1.52% (95% eCI: 0.01%-2.68%) and 2.07% (95% eCI: 0.02%-3.47%), respectively.
Conclusion Extreme high temperatures are associated with the risk of traffic injuries among the population, with females and individuals aged 65 years and older being particularly vulnerable. The findings have important public health implications for reducing traffic injury risks among key populations during periods of extreme high temperatures and developing targeted protective measures.