Morbidity and mortality associated with the July 1980 heat wave in St Louis and Kansas City, Mo

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Abstract
The morbidity and mortality associated with the 1980 heat wave in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri [USA], were assessed retrospectively. Heat-related illness and deaths were identified by review of death certificates and hospital, emergency room and medical examiners'' records in the 2 cities. Data from the July 1980 heat wave were compared with data from July 1978 and 1979, when there were no heat waves. Deaths from all causes in July 1980 increased by 57 and 64% in St. Louis and Kansas City, respectively, but only 10% in the predominantly rural areas of Missouri. About 1 of every 1000 residents of the 2 cities was hospitalized for or died of heat-related illness. Incidence rates (per 100,000) of heatstroke, defined as severe heat illness with documented hypothermia, were 26.5 and 17.6 for St. Louis and Kansas City, respectively. No heatstroke cases occurred in July 1979. Heatstroke rates were 10-12 times higher for persons aged .gtoreq. 65 yr than for those < 65 yr. The ratios of age-adjusted heatstroke rates were .apprx. 3:1 for nonwhite vs. white persons and .apprx. 6:1 for low vs. high socioeconomic status. Public health preventive measures in future heat waves should be directed toward the urban poor, the elderly and persons of other than white races.