High Temperature Sensitive Diseases and Vulnerable Population in One District of Harbin

Objectives To screen the high temperature sensitive diseases and related vulnerable subpopulation based on the mortality data in one district of Harbin.

Methods To confirm firstly the threshold air temperature over which the daily mortality would be obviously increased. The day with an air temperature over the threshold was called "hot day". The high temperature sensitive diseases were selected through comparing the average number of death caused by different diseases on hot days with those on non-hot days in June to August. The vulnerable population was selected through comparing the average number of death in different age and gender groups on hot days with those on non-hot days.

Results The threshold temperature in Harbin was 30℃. The number of death caused by circulatory system disease, respiratory disease, accidental injury, endocrine disease, urinary system disease, mental disease and cancer on hot days was statistically significantly higher than that on non-hot days (P < 0.05). The number of death in the elder population more than 65 years on hot day was significantly higher than that on non-hot days. There was no significant difference on the sensitivity to high air temperature between male and female.

Conclusions Circulatory system disease, respiratory disease, accidental injury, endocrine disease, urinary system disease, mental disease and cancer might be the high air temperature sensitive diseases and the elder population more than 65 years might be one of the vulnerable populations to high air temperature in Harbin.