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Objectives: Diarrheal disease continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We investigated how anomalies in monthly average temperature, precipitation, and surface water storage (SWS) impacted bacterial, and viral diarrhea morbidity in Taiwan between 2004 and 2015. Methods: A multivariate analysis using negative binomial generalized estimating equations was employed to quantify age- and cause-specific cases of diarrhea associated with anomalies in temperature, precipitation, and SWS. Results: Temperature anomalies were associated with an elevated rate of all-cause infectious diarrhea at a lag of 2 months, with the highest risk observed in the under-5 age group (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=1.03, 95% CI, 1.01-1.07). Anomalies in SWS were associated with increased viral diarrhea rates, with the highest risk observed in the under-5 age group at a 2-month lag (IRR= 1.27; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.42) and a lesser effect at a 1-month lag (IRR=1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.31). Furthermore, cause-specific diarrheal diseases were significantly affected by extreme weather events in Taiwan. Both extremely cold and hot conditions were associated with an increased risk of all-cause infectious diarrhea regardless of age, with IRRs ranging from 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.12) to 1.18 (95% CI, 1.16-1.40).Conclusions: The risk of all-cause infectious diarrhea was significantly associated with average temperature anomalies in the population aged under 5 years. Viral diarrhea was significantly associated with anomalies in SWS. Therefore, we recommend strategic planning and early warning systems as major solutions to improve resilience against climate change.
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Climate change, extreme events, and increased risk of salmonellosis: foodborne diseases active surveillance network (FoodNet), 2004-2014
Abstract Background Infections with nontyphoidal Salmonella cause an estimated 19,336 hospitalizations each year in the United States. Sources of infection can vary by state and include animal and plant-based foods, as well as environmental reservoirs. Several studies have recognized the importance of increased ambient temperature and precipitation in the spread and persistence of Salmonella in soil and food. However, the impact of extreme weather events on Salmonella infection rates among the most prevalent serovars, has not been fully evaluated across distinct U.S. regions. Methods To address this knowledge gap, we obtained Salmonella case data for S. Enteriditis, S. Typhimurium, S. Newport, and S. Javiana (2004-2014; n = 32,951) from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet), and weather data from the National Climatic Data Center (1960-2014). Extreme heat and precipitation events for the study period (2004-2014) were identified using location and calendar day specific 95 th percentile thresholds derived using a 30-year baseline (1960-1989). Negative binomial generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the association between exposure to extreme events and salmonellosis rates. Results We observed that extreme heat exposure was associated with increased rates of infection with S. Newport in Maryland (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 1.07, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.01, 1.14), and Tennessee (IRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.09), both FoodNet sites with high densities of animal feeding operations (e.g., broiler chickens and cattle). Extreme precipitation events were also associated with increased rates of S. Javiana infections, by 22% in Connecticut (IRR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.35) and by 5% in Georgia (IRR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08), respectively. In addition, there was an 11% (IRR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.04-1.18) increased rate of S . Newport infections in Maryland associated with extreme precipitation events. Conclusions Overall, our study suggests a stronger association between extreme precipitation events, compared to extreme heat, and salmonellosis across multiple U.S. regions. In addition, the rates of infection with Salmonella serovars that persist in environmental or plant-based reservoirs, such as S. Javiana and S. Newport, appear to be of particular significance regarding increased heat and rainfall events.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1828910
- PAR ID:
- 10347795
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Environmental Health
- Volume:
- 20
- Issue:
- 1
- ISSN:
- 1476-069X
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that temperatures adversely impact mental and behavioral disorders (MBD). This study explores the effects of temperatures on mental health outcomes using over 5.9 million MBD-related emergency department (ED) visits across three geographical regions of North Carolina (i.e., Mountains, Piedmont, and Coast) from 2016 to 2019. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) with a generalized linear model and quasi-Poisson distribution adjusted for humidity, long-term seasonal time trends, and day of the week examined the acute impact (i.e., 7-day) of temperature on daily MBD-related ED visits at zip code tabulation area (ZCTA) locations. Results were pooled at the region and state levels and reported in reference to the median temperature using a case-time series design for the analysis of small-area data. Stratified analyses were conducted for age, sex, and specific mental-health related ED visits (substance use, mood disorders, anxiety disorders). At the state level, we found significant positive associations between high temperatures (97.5th percentile) and an increase in relative risk (RR) for total MBDs (RR:1.04, 95% CI,1.03–1.05) and psychoactive substance use (RR:1.04, 95% CI, 1.02–1.06). Low air temperatures (2.5th percentile) only increased risk for the elderly (i.e., 65 and older) and predominantly white communities (RR: 1.03, CI: 1.03–1.05). During high temperatures (97.5th percentile), majority-white communities (RR:1.06, CI: 1.01–1.10) and low-income communities had the highest risk for MBDs (RR: 1.05, CI: 1.03–1.07). Our findings suggest there is a positive association between exposure to high temperatures and increased MBD-related ED visits, modified by patient age and place-based sociodemographic (ie., race and income) context.more » « less
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Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-021-00787-y
