Brazil respiratory deaths linked to extreme temperatures

A study published in the journal PLOS Climate by researchers from Unicamp (State University of Campinas) has linked extreme temperatures to significant respiratory disease mortality in Brazil. Between 2010 and 2020, an estimated 46,429 deaths in 646 Brazilian municipalities were attributed to exposure to high temperatures. Additionally, 19,650 deaths were linked to cold temperatures, bringing the total deaths associated with non-ideal thermal conditions to 66,079, representing approximately 6.08% of all respiratory disease deaths in the analyzed areas.

The research highlights regional variations in vulnerability. The North region showed the highest proportion of deaths due to non-ideal temperatures, primarily driven by heat. The Northeast also saw a predominance of heat-related deaths. Conversely, in the South, cold temperatures were the primary driver of respiratory mortality, while heat played a smaller role. In the Southeast, the impact of heat and cold was more balanced, though heat had a slightly higher contribution.

Complementary research in Minas Gerais examined the relationship between seasonal climate variability and hospitalizations for respiratory diseases from 2008 to 2022. The study found that while temperature and rainfall are associated with hospitalization rates, respiratory diseases are multifactorial, influenced by social, environmental, and demographic factors. The study also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted historical seasonal patterns and reduced the predictive power of climate-based models.