LA Times: California's 2006 heat wave was much deadlier than previously reported, researchers say

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-me-heat-deaths21-2009jul21,0,1245247.story

California's 2006 heat wave was much deadlier than previously reported, researchers say

New analysis of data in nine counties, including L.A., San Bernardino and Kern, indicates that 350 to 450 heat-related deaths may have occurred -- two to three times more than coroners' counts.

By Jia-Rui Chong
July 21, 2009
As Southern California sweats through a period of triple-digit temperatures that started over the weekend, state researchers said Monday that deaths related to a scorching heat wave in 2006 were probably two to three times higher than estimated by coroner's reports.

"Everyone knows are a low estimate," said Bart Ostro, lead author of a study published this month and an epidemiologist at the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. "We're trying to model it and trying to get a better idea of the impact."

The researchers analyzed nine counties, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Kern. Whereas coroners in those counties connected about 130 deaths to the heat, with diagnoses including hyperthermia and heatstroke, Ostro's group found that about 350 to 450 deaths were more likely.

Emergency room doctors and public health officials said they have known for years that heat increases mortality and that coroners have been conservative when determining how much of a role heat played in a person's death.

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[gwashington2650]

1. Global warming is taking its toll

We must come up with some ideas quick.