An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Allen, Michael James
Language:English
Published: Kent State University / OhioLINK 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1405326473
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spelling ndltd-OhioLink-oai-etd.ohiolink.edu-kent14053264732021-08-03T06:25:46Z An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events Allen, Michael James Geography Climate Change Public Health Seasonality Climate Change Heat Waves Cold Spells Bioclimatology Distributed Lag Non-Linear Model Structured into three, interrelated projects, this dissertation is organized under the research themes of climate change and human mortality responses associated with heat and cold events. Using diverse, methodologies which incorporate spatiotemporal variability into seasonal definitions, consistent results were found pertaining to seasonal climate change. Climatological data for 60 U.S. locations was chosen for a lengthy period of record (1948 – 2012), and despite the various delineation methods, results generally indicate earlier starts to summer while winters have become shorter. Using percentile thresholds of daily mean apparent temperature, heat, extreme heat, cold, and extreme cold events (anomalous temperature events or ATEs) were defined and analyzed. In addition to increased frequency and duration, heat and extreme heat events have started earlier over the course of the year since 1948. Conversely, cold and extreme cold have shown the opposite with less frequent, shorter, and later occurring events taking place. While not directly explored, a relationship with ATEs and large-scale teleconnection patterns such as El Niño seems to exist. In bioclimatological research, human health responses have been associated with duration, intensity, and seasonal timing. When comparing mortality responses, a relatively unexplored method in climatology was introduced. More common in epidemiological research, a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) assessed the delayed, non-linear responses associated with environmental outcomes. In regards to both heat and cold events, greater risk was associated with early season events compared to later occurring ones. Elevated thresholds of extreme heat and extreme cold showed higher risks when compared to less extreme events. Geographic variability was also shown with higher risks for heat-related mortality in more northern locations while cold-related risks were higher in locations less accustomed to heat. Comparing mortality responses following ATEs, the consistent relationships were found, irrespective of seasonal and ATE definitions. Understanding the relationship between human health outcomes, changing seasons, and anomalous temperature events will remain an emphasis of future climate-health research. With projected changes to the climate system, future research may further examine differential responses which may be dependent on age, sex, cause of death, and race. 2014-07-15 English text Kent State University / OhioLINK http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1405326473 http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1405326473 unrestricted This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.
collection NDLTD
language English
sources NDLTD
topic Geography
Climate Change
Public Health
Seasonality
Climate Change
Heat Waves
Cold Spells
Bioclimatology
Distributed Lag Non-Linear Model
spellingShingle Geography
Climate Change
Public Health
Seasonality
Climate Change
Heat Waves
Cold Spells
Bioclimatology
Distributed Lag Non-Linear Model
Allen, Michael James
An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
author Allen, Michael James
author_facet Allen, Michael James
author_sort Allen, Michael James
title An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
title_short An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
title_full An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
title_fullStr An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
title_full_unstemmed An Evaluation of Seasonality through Four Delineation Methods: A Comparison of Mortality Responses and the Relationship with Anomalous Temperature Events
title_sort evaluation of seasonality through four delineation methods: a comparison of mortality responses and the relationship with anomalous temperature events
publisher Kent State University / OhioLINK
publishDate 2014
url http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1405326473
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