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Adapting to climate change: the remarkable decline in the U.S. temperature-mortality relationship over the 20th century.

Author(s) : BARRECA A., CLAY K., DESCHENES O., et al.

Type of monograph: Other

Summary

Air conditioning has cut premature deaths on hot days in US by 80% since 1960. A new study by researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, University of California and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has concluded that air conditioning played a key role in the reduction of the mortality risk associated with high temperatures that took place during the 20th century in the USA. Based on a comprehensive analysis of US mortality records dating from 1900, the study found that the chances of dying on an extremely hot day (average temperature exceeding 32°C) fell 80% over the past half-century. Very few US homes had air conditioning before 1960; by 2004, that figure had climbed to 85%. The diffusion of residential air conditioning could specifically explain this decline, whereas residential electrification, or access to health care could not be statistically related. The study points out that spreading air conditioning in developing countries could play a major role in preventing future heat-related deaths linked to climate change.

Details

  • Original title: Adapting to climate change: the remarkable decline in the U.S. temperature-mortality relationship over the 20th century.
  • Record ID : 30008149
  • Languages: English
  • Publication: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Economics - United states/United states
  • Publication date: 2012/12/20

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