The spatial variability of heat-related mortality in Massachusetts

This study assesses heat-related mortality in Massachusetts during the months of May through September from 1990 to 2008. Daily maximum apparent temperature was interpolated across space via kriging, and aggregated to 29 municipality groups (MGs), a spatial unit composed of municipalities that was designed to have minimal variation in population. Death certificate data were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution of excess mortality on days that exceeded the 85th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of apparent temperature. We find that the average statewide mortality anomalies were 5.11, 6.26, and 7.26 deaths on days exceeding the 85th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of apparent temperature respectively. A linear stepwise regression showed that percent African–American population and percent elderly population (those above the age of 65) were positively associated with an MG’s mortality anomaly on days exceeding the 85th percentile of apparent temperature (p < 0.05). In spite of the urban heat island effect, our measure of urbanization was not associated with higher rates of heat-related mortality.

► We assess the spatial distribution of heat-related mortality in Massachusetts.
► Areas with high elderly and African–American populations have elevated mortality on hot days.
► Urban areas do not exhibit significantly higher heat-related mortality than rural areas.