Spatial analysis of hospital admissions for respiratory diseases during summer months in Berlin taking bioclimatic and socio-economic aspects into account

International environmental health studies of the past years have discussed the impacts of heat stress on human health. In particular, respiratory morbidity has shown significant heat effects in European cities. Metropolitan areas such as Berlin are characterised by an intra-urban spatial variability in socio-economic and bioclimatic conditions that is assumed to result in spatial differences in respiratory health risks. In essence, the elderly, children and people with chronic diseases suffer from heat stress. A spatial epidemiological approach was chosen to map elevated risks for hospital admissions among > 64-year-olds with respiratory diseases (RD) during the summer months (June–September) from 2000 to 2009 and to link respiratory health risks to bioclimatic and socio-economic conditions in Berlin. The study aims to detect significant clusters with elevated relative risks for hospital admissions among > 64-year-olds with RD in due consideration of socio-economic conditions as a covariate for health outcomes. The findings from the purely spatial analysis show significant intra-urban disparities in the relative risks for hospital admissions among > 64-year-olds with RD. The highest relative risks within significant clusters were basically detected in the north-western and south-eastern city centre based on the study period 2000–2009 and also during the hot months of July and August in 2003 and 2006. The correlation analysis depicted significantly positive relationships between relative risks for hospital admissions among > 64-year-olds with RD and population density, socio-economic conditions and the annual mean number of days with heat loads on the basis of the period 1971–2000 and the average of the periods 1971–2000 and 2021–2050 at the zip code level in Berlin. To specifically implement health care intervention and prevention strategies into urban planning and to apply a directed practice of telemedicine for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, spatial epidemiological analyses are an important approach to identifying heat-vulnerable urban areas

Indoor heat stress: An assessment of human bioclimate using the UTCI in different buildings in Berlin

Because humans spend most of their time indoors and can be negatively affected by unfavourable thermal environ­ments, the assessment of indoor heat stress is an important issue for public health care. To characterise indoor human bioclimate, the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) was used. UTCI values were calculated from meas­urements of air temperature and air humidity in 16 rooms in Berlin during the summer months of 2011 and 2012. A constant air velocity of approximately 0.3 m/s and a metabolic heat production of 135 W/m2 were assumed. The mean radiant temperature was set to the air temperature. Because the mean air humidity was below or slightly above 50 %, the calculated UTCI values were mostly lower than the air temperatures. In summer 2012, the mean UTCI values ranged from 22.2 °C to 27.1 °C, and the maximum UTCI values ranged from 24.7 °C to 35.6 °C. Whereas only minor differences were found between rooms located within comparable buildings in different districts of Berlin, pronounced variations of the UTCI values were detected in two adjoining buildings, with differences up to 8.6 K for the daily minimum, 9.8 K for the daily mean and 12.2 K for the daily maximum UTCI between differ­ent rooms. These variations can be explained by differences in the structures of the two buildings, floor level and aspect. The UTCI values were also used to determine the occurrence of moderate and strong heat stress. Only two rooms showed no thermal stress, while strong heat stress was detected in three rooms

Three-Dimensional Observation of Atmospheric Processes in Cities

To cope with weather and climate-induced impacts as well as with air pollution in cities, the German research programme “Urban Climate Under Change” ([UC]2) aims at developing, testing and validating a new urban climate model, which is able to cover the full range of temporal and spatial scales of urban atmospheric processes. The project “Three-dimensional Observation of Atmospheric Processes in Cities” (3DO), which forms the module B of the [UC]2 research programme, aims at acquisition of comprehensive, accurate three-dimensional observational data sets on weather, climate and air quality in the German cities of Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart. Data sets from long-term observations and intense observation periods allow for evaluation of the performance of a new urban climate model called PALM‑4U that is developed by the project “Model-based city planning and application in climate change” (MOSAIK), which forms the module A of the [UC]2 research programme. This article focuses on collaborative activities for compilation of existing and acquisition of new observational data within the 3DO project

Urban Climate Under Change [UC]2 – A National Research Programme for Developing a Building-Resolving Atmospheric Model for Entire City Regions

Large cities and urban regions are confronted with rising pressure by environmental pollution, impacts of climate change, as well as natural and health hazards. They are characterised by heterogeneous mosaics of urban structures, causing modifications of atmospheric processes on different temporal and spatial scales. Planning authorities need reliable, locally relevant information on urban atmospheric processes, providing fine spatial resolutions in city quarters or street canyons, as well as projections of future climates, specifically downscaled to individual cities. Therefore, building-resolving urban climate models for entire city regions are required as tool for urban development and planning, air quality control, as well as for design of actions for climate change mitigation and adaptation. To date, building-resolving atmospheric models covering entire large cities are mostly missing. The German research programme “Urban Climate Under Change” ([UC]2) aims at developing a new urban climate model, to acquire three-dimensional observational data for model testing and validation, and to test its practicability and usability in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to provide a scientifically sound and practicable instrument to address the above mentioned challenges. This article provides an outline of the collaborative activities of the [UC]2 research programme

Auswirkungen von Wärme- und Luftschadstoffbelastungen auf vollstationäre Patientenaufnahmen und Sterbefälle im Krankenhaus während Sommermonaten in Berlin und Brandenburg

Eine klimawandelbedingte Zunahme von Wetterextremen, die Lebensbedingungen städtischer Agglomerationen, die Zunahme städtischer Bevölkerung, der demographische Wandel, die Zunahme sozioökonomischer Disparitäten und chronischer Erkrankungen erhöhen die Gesundheitsrisiken und Anforderungen an das Gesundheitswesen bereits heute und sehr wahrscheinlich in der Zukunft. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, für die Region Berlin-Brandenburg Assoziationen zwischen Wärme- und Luftschadstoffbelastungen einerseits und Patientenaufnahmen sowie Sterbefällen im Krankhaus andererseits retrospektiv für die Sommermonate Juni - September im Zeitraum 1994 - 2010 anhand von Regressionsmodellen und räumlich epidemiologischen Methoden zu analysieren. Dabei stehen Vergleiche zwischen den Bundesländern Berlin und Brandenburg sowie innerstädtische räumliche Disparitäten in Berlin im Vordergrund. In Berlin und Brandenburg nahmen die mittleren Lufttemperaturen und der mittlere Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) während der Sommermonate stetig von 1994 bis 2010 zu. Die mittleren troposphärischen Ozonkonzentrationen weisen eine hohe Variabilität von 1994 - 2010 und eine stark positive Korrelation mit den Lufttemperaturen und der Wärmebelastung auf. Die mittleren Stickstoffdioxidkonzentrationen nahmen stetig während der Sommer von 1994 - 2010 ab, und die mittleren PM10-Konzentrationen, welche erst seit 2001 in Berlin und 2003 in Brandenburg als Bundeslandmittel vorliegen, korrelieren moderat positiv mit den Lufttemperaturen sowie der Wärmebelastung und können somit, wie im heißen Sommer 2006, erhöhte Werte aufweisen. In Berlin und Brandenburg nimmt das relative Risiko für die Mortalität ab einer starken Wärmebelastung zu. Die Morbidität zeigt nur in Berlin einen Anstieg des relativen Risikos ab einer starken Wärmebelastung. Dies ist ein wichtiger Hinweis für kurzfristige Maßnahmen in der kurativen medizinischen Versorgung von Patienten.The increase of weather extremes due to climate change, life conditions in urban agglomerations, the increase in urban population, the demographic change, the increases in socioeconomic disparities and in chronic diseases enhance health risks and demands in health care issues already today and very likely in the future. This study aims to analyse retrospectively associations between heat load and air pollution on one side and hospital admissions and in-hospital deaths on the other side for the summer months June - September from 1994 - 2010 using regression models and spatial epidemiological methods in Berlin and Brandenburg. Thereby, the analyses focus on comparisons between the federal states Berlin and Brandenburg as well as inner-city spatial disparities in Berlin. The mean summer air temperatures and the mean Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) temperatures increased continuously from 1994 till 2010. The mean tropospheric ozone concentrations during summer months varied from 1994 till 2010 and show a strong positive correlation with air temperatures and heat loads. The mean nitrogen dioxide concentrations during summer months decreased continuously from 1994 till 2010. The mean PM10 concentrations during summer months, which are available since 2001 in Berlin and 2003 in Brandenburg, show a moderate positive correlation with air temperatures and heat loads and therefore, e.g. in the hot summer 2006, increased summer means. In Berlin and Brandenburg the relative risks of mortality increased with increasing heat load. The relative risks of morbidity increased with increasing heat load only in Berlin. Thus, the differences in summer morbidity risks between Berlin and Brandenburg imply important advises for short-term health care strategies. In essence, the elderly and people with chronic diseases suffer most from heat stress. Respiratory system diseases showed strongest impacts beside cardiovascular system diseases and the total of all diseases

Dreidimensionale Observierung atmosphärischer Prozesse in Städten – 3DOSchlussbericht des Verbundvorhabens 3DOThree-dimensional observation and modeling of atmospheric processes in cities – 3DOfinal report for joint project 3DO

Ziel des BMBF-Programms 'Stadtklima im Wandel' war die Entwicklung, Validierung und Anwendung eines gebäudeauflösenden Stadtklimamodells für ganze Städte. Das Verbundprojekt 3DO übernahm die dem Modul B zugeordneten Forschungsaufgaben: Aufbereitung vorhandener Daten aus der Langzeitbeobachtung (LTO), Aufbau neuer Messstationen, Gewinnung neuer dreidimensionaler atmosphärischer Daten und die Entwicklung neuer Konzepte z.B. zur Modellevaluation. Untersucht wurden der Aufbau der atmosphärischen Grenzschicht, die Charakteristik der meteorologischen Parameter und deren Einfluss auf das thermische Empfinden des Menschen. Ein einheitlicher [UC]2-Datenstandard sowie Analysewerkzeuge wurden entwickelt und in ein Datenmanagementsystem und eine Wissensplattform für den modulübergreifenden Austausch integriert.Aim of the BMBF-Programme 'Urban Climate under Change' was development, validation and application of a building-resolving urban climate model for entire cities. The joint project 3DO took over the research tasks assigned to module B: Preparation of existing data from long-term observation (LTO), deployment of new measuring stations, acquisition of new three-dimensional atmospheric data and new concepts, e.g. for model evaluation. The structure of the atmospheric boundary layer, characteristics of meteorological parameters and their influence on the thermal sensation of humans were investigated. A uniform [UC]2 data standard as well as analysis tools were developed and integrated into a data management system and a knowledge base for cross-module exchange

Dreidimensionale Observierung atmosphärischer Prozesse in Städten – 3DOSchlussbericht des Verbundvorhabens 3DOThree-dimensional observation and modeling of atmospheric processes in cities – 3DOfinal report for joint project 3DO

Ziel des BMBF-Programms 'Stadtklima im Wandel' war die Entwicklung, Validierung und Anwendung eines gebäudeauflösenden Stadtklimamodells für ganze Städte. Das Verbundprojekt 3DO übernahm die dem Modul B zugeordneten Forschungsaufgaben: Aufbereitung vorhandener Daten aus der Langzeitbeobachtung (LTO), Aufbau neuer Messstationen, Gewinnung neuer dreidimensionaler atmosphärischer Daten und die Entwicklung neuer Konzepte z.B. zur Modellevaluation. Untersucht wurden der Aufbau der atmosphärischen Grenzschicht, die Charakteristik der meteorologischen Parameter und deren Einfluss auf das thermische Empfinden des Menschen. Ein einheitlicher [UC]2-Datenstandard sowie Analysewerkzeuge wurden entwickelt und in ein Datenmanagementsystem und eine Wissensplattform für den modulübergreifenden Austausch integriert.Aim of the BMBF-Programme 'Urban Climate under Change' was development, validation and application of a building-resolving urban climate model for entire cities. The joint project 3DO took over the research tasks assigned to module B: Preparation of existing data from long-term observation (LTO), deployment of new measuring stations, acquisition of new three-dimensional atmospheric data and new concepts, e.g. for model evaluation. The structure of the atmospheric boundary layer, characteristics of meteorological parameters and their influence on the thermal sensation of humans were investigated. A uniform [UC]2 data standard as well as analysis tools were developed and integrated into a data management system and a knowledge base for cross-module exchange