METEOROLOGIC FACTORS AND TEMPORAL VARIATIONS OF CARDIAC MORTALITY IN AN URBAN SETTING IN A DESERT CLIMATIC ZONE

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 13  (5) , 451-459
Abstract
Using unbiased and rigorous techniques of lagged cross-covariance and spectral analyses, the associations between daily cardiac mortality and weather conditions were studied in Beersheba [Israel], an urban center situated in a hot and dry climatic zone. The results of the analyses point to the existence of seasonal differences in mortality, with a peak in winter. Of greater interest is the statistical documentation of temporal associations between short-term increases in daily mortality and certain weather situations corresponding to the transitional periods of turbulen atmosphere with below normal air temperatures, strong gusty winds and a drop in relative humidity, i.e., conditions accompanying the intrusion of a winter cold wave. The crests in short-term mortality occurred most often within 1 wk of the cold air masses'' intrusion. No consistent cross association was found between high summer temperatures and mortality. The results of this investigation are discussed in light of those previously reported for Tel Aviv (a coastal city) and Jerusalem (a city situated at a high altitude).

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