The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities

Excess mortality due to heat is a major public health concern globally. In this study, we investigated the association between extreme heat and mortality in three distinct locations in São Paulo state, Brazil—São Paulo city (the capital), Campinas (a large countryside city), and Marília (a typical m...

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Main Authors: Daniela Debone, Nilton Manuel Évora do Rosário, Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/755
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author Daniela Debone
Nilton Manuel Évora do Rosário
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
author_facet Daniela Debone
Nilton Manuel Évora do Rosário
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
author_sort Daniela Debone
collection DOAJ
description Excess mortality due to heat is a major public health concern globally. In this study, we investigated the association between extreme heat and mortality in three distinct locations in São Paulo state, Brazil—São Paulo city (the capital), Campinas (a large countryside city), and Marília (a typical medium-sized rural city)—from 2004 to 2018. We applied a generalized linear model (GLM) with a Poisson distribution and a logarithmic link function for each city, using the excess heat factor (EHF) as the exposure metric. The results showed that increases in the EHF were associated with relative risks of 1.0018 (95% CI: 1.0015–1.0022) in São Paulo, 1.0029 (95% CI: 1.0023–1.0036) in Campinas, and 1.0033 (95% CI: 1.0025–1.0041) in Marília. Altogether, 2319 heat-attributable deaths were estimated, representing an economic burden of USD 6.03 billion based on the value of a statistical life. By integrating economic valuation with mortality risk estimates, our study offers a broader perspective on the consequences of extreme heat, reinforcing the need for public health and policy interventions.
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spelling doaj-art-937d174fb6c144a590b53db45b97afb62025-08-20T02:45:43ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-06-0116775510.3390/atmos16070755The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian CitiesDaniela Debone0Nilton Manuel Évora do Rosário1Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia2Departamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema 09913-030, BrazilDepartamento de Ciências Ambientais, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema 09913-030, BrazilDepartamento de Engenharia Química, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Diadema 09913-030, BrazilExcess mortality due to heat is a major public health concern globally. In this study, we investigated the association between extreme heat and mortality in three distinct locations in São Paulo state, Brazil—São Paulo city (the capital), Campinas (a large countryside city), and Marília (a typical medium-sized rural city)—from 2004 to 2018. We applied a generalized linear model (GLM) with a Poisson distribution and a logarithmic link function for each city, using the excess heat factor (EHF) as the exposure metric. The results showed that increases in the EHF were associated with relative risks of 1.0018 (95% CI: 1.0015–1.0022) in São Paulo, 1.0029 (95% CI: 1.0023–1.0036) in Campinas, and 1.0033 (95% CI: 1.0025–1.0041) in Marília. Altogether, 2319 heat-attributable deaths were estimated, representing an economic burden of USD 6.03 billion based on the value of a statistical life. By integrating economic valuation with mortality risk estimates, our study offers a broader perspective on the consequences of extreme heat, reinforcing the need for public health and policy interventions.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/755heat-related mortalityexcess heat factorhealth impact assessmentvalue of statistical life
spellingShingle Daniela Debone
Nilton Manuel Évora do Rosário
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
Atmosphere
heat-related mortality
excess heat factor
health impact assessment
value of statistical life
title The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
title_full The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
title_fullStr The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
title_full_unstemmed The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
title_short The Cost of Heat: Health and Economic Burdens in Three Brazilian Cities
title_sort cost of heat health and economic burdens in three brazilian cities
topic heat-related mortality
excess heat factor
health impact assessment
value of statistical life
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/7/755
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