• Ghasem Sam Toloo, Yuming Guo, Lyle Turner, Xin Qi, Peter Aitken, and Shilu Tong.
• School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.
• Aust N Z J Public Health. 2014 Oct 1;38(5):430-5.

ObjectiveExamining the association between socioeconomic disadvantage and heat-related emergency department (ED) visits during heatwave periods in Brisbane, 2000-2008.MethodsData from 10 public EDs were analysed using a generalised additive model for disease categories, age groups and gender.ResultsCumulative relative risks (RR) for non-external causes other than cardiovascular and respiratory diseases were 1.11 and 1.05 in most and least disadvantaged areas, respectively. The pattern persisted on lags 0-2. Elevated risks were observed for all age groups above 15 years in all areas. However, with RRs of 1.19-1.28, the 65-74 years age group in more disadvantaged areas stood out, compared with RR=1.08 in less disadvantaged areas. This pattern was observed on lag 0 but did not persist. The RRs for male presentations were 1.10 and 1.04 in most and less disadvantaged areas; for females, RR was 1.04 in less disadvantaged areas. This pattern persisted across lags 0-2.ConclusionsHeat-related ED visits increased during heatwaves. However, due to overlapping confidence intervals, variations across socioeconomic areas should be interpreted cautiously.ImplicationsED data may be utilised for monitoring heat-related health impacts, particularly on the first day of heatwaves, to facilitate prompt interventions and targeted resource allocation.© 2014 Public Health Association of Australia.

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