PNNL

Abstract

Purpose: Extreme heat is a public health threat. We review common meteorological data sets and metrics for estimating heat in epidemiologic studies and recommend practical advice for those just starting in this field. Recent Findings: Heat can be estimated through a variety of approaches that differ in their spatial resolution, temporal frequency, historical extent, aggregation, and population coverage. Heat exposure is operationalized as air temperature, but heat indices which includincludinge additional variables (e.g. humidity, solar radiation, wind, etc.) that capturinge different physiological pathways and differ varying in their availability and interpretability are common. Defining heat waves for research and government activation is another important consideration in terms of risk and perception. Other analysis choices include defining extreme heat thresholds, population-weighting, or special considerations in urban environments.