BACKGROUND: Reduced birthweight is associated with adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. A few studies examined the association between climatic factors and birthweight with inconsistent results probably due to differences in exposure assessment, statistical models, climatic parameters, and study populations. METHODS: We obtained data from the Republic of Cyprus birth registry from 2007 to 2020, and matched climatic exposures (i.e., temperature, relative humidity, temperature variability, humidity variability) by the hospital district at birth. We used distributed lag models to examine the association between term birthweight, temperature, humidity, and their variability to identify critical windows. Our models were adjusted for coarse particulate matter level (≤10 μm [PM(10)), and individual-level covariates. Subgroup analysis was conducted to examine effect modification by maternal age and education. RESULTS: We identified two critical windows of exposure to ambient temperature at early and late pregnancy. The cumulative change of birthweight per 5 °C increases in mean weekly temperature was -57.27 (2%) (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 99.62 (3.1%), -14.92 (0.5%)) and -79.2 (2.5%) (95%CI: 117.03 (3.5%), -41.52 (1.3%)) grams during weeks 1-8 and weeks 28-37, respectively. There was no significant effect of humidity, temperature variability, or humidity variability on birthweight. Based on subgroup analysis, mothers with post-secondary education were more sensitive to temperature, but the marginal significance of differences in effect estimates may be linked with differences in sample size. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that higher ambient temperature exposure during early and late pregnancy is associated with lower birthweight in main and subgroup analysis. The findings demonstrate in a country highly impacted by climate change like Cyprus that rising temperatures may be associated with perinatal outcomes in susceptible populations during sensitive windows of exposure.
The aim of this research is to propose a novel methodology that exploits Earth Observation (EO) data to accurately produce high-resolution bioclimatic maps at large spatiotemporal scales. This method directly links EO products (i.e., land surface temperature – LST and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index – NDVI) to air temperature (Tair) and such thermal indices as the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) to produce large-scale high-quality bioclimatic maps at a spatial resolution of 100 m. The proposed methodology is based on Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and the bioclimatic maps are developed with the use of Geographical Information Systems. High-resolution LST maps are produced from the spatial downscaling of EO images and the application of the methodology in the case of the island of Cyprus highlights the ability of EO parameters to estimate accurately T(air) as well as the above mentioned thermal indices. The results are validated for different conditions and the overall Mean Absolute Error for each case ranges from 1.9 °C for Tair to 2.8 °C for PET and UTCI. The trained ANNs could be used in near real-time for estimating the spatial distribution of outdoor thermal conditions and for assessing the relationship between human health and the outdoor thermal environment. On the basis of the developed bioclimatic maps, high-risk areas were identified. Furthermore, the study examines the relationship between land cover and Tair, UTCI, and PET, and the results provide evidence of the suitability of the method to monitor the dynamics of the urban environment and the effectiveness of urban nature-based solutions. Studies on bioclimate analysis monitor thermal environment, raise awareness and enhance the capacity of national public health systems to respond to thermally-induced health risks.
Understanding public perceptions on the health impacts of climate change will help to better address planetary health challenges. This study aimed to assess differences in perceptions in the Cypriot population regarding climate-related health risks, information sources used, and self-assessed health status over a three-year period, along with the relationship between sociodemographics and perceptions on climate-related health risks. Two cross-sectional surveys on environmental health risks and climate change, information sources, and self-assessed health were conducted in July-December 2018 (n = 185) and August-September 2021 (n = 202) among adults living in Cyprus. A descriptive analysis of the survey responses was conducted. Between-survey and within-survey associations were examined among environmental and health risk perceptions and stratified by sociodemographics (age, sex, educational level) using chi-square tests. The perceived views on most questions about environmental health risks and climate change were not different between the two surveys (p > 0.05). With environmental factors in mind, such as climate change, pollution, and toxic waste, most respondents (>72%) considered that health issues such as asthma, cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure would occur much more often or somewhat more often in the next 10 years. In both surveys, the most popular sources of information about environmental health risks were social media/the internet, followed by TV news and TV films and documentaries. Notable differences in several perceptions on climate-related health risks were observed between females and males, while age and educational level did not influence most perceptions. Women were more likely than men to report that environmental factors such as temperature rise, extreme weather events, and air pollution will be extremely influenced by climate change (p < 0.05). The study survey populations recognized the important linkages between climate change and human health, including their drivers. Sex was an important factor for differentiated perceptions on environmental health risks and climate change. Such survey results on perceptions about climate change and their impact on population health can be used to inform public awareness and risk communication campaigns.
Energy affordability and climatic variability are associated to human health and this study investigates their impacts on public health for Cyprus, an eastern Mediterranean island afflicted by extreme summer heat and cold winters, especially in the Troodos mountains. Energy poverty indicators are computed through statistical analysis of mortality data and household consumption information, the latter collected through a tailored survey. Results show that almost half of the survey participants spend large proportions of their incomes towards essential energy services. Moreover, ambient temperature is significantly linked to mortality, with a 20-fold higher risk of death in winter and a major shift in mortality noticed around 2013, following a severe financial crisis which exposed rural populations to a higher mortality risk.
The state of the thermal environment can affect human health and well-being. Heat stress is associated with a wide range of health outcomes increasing morbidity and mortality and is recognized as an important health risk posed by climate change. This study aims at examining the effect of thermal conditions on the daily number of hospital admissions in Cyprus. Data from eight public hospitals located in five districts of Cyprus were analyzed from 2009 to 2018. Meteorological hourly gridded data were extracted by the ERA-5 Land reanalysis database with a spatial horizontal resolution of 0.1° × 0.1°. The Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) were calculated as measures of the integrated effect of meteorological variables. Negative binomial regression was fitted to examine associations between the daily number of hospital admissions and meteorological variables, PET, and UTCI. The results showed that the mean daily temperature (Tair) was positively associated with hospital admissions from any cause. Hospital admissions increased by 0.6% (p < 0.001) for each 1 °C increase of Tair and by 0.4% (p < 0.001) for each 1 °C increase of PET and UTCI. Ozone and nitrogen oxides act as confounding factors. An effect of particulate matter (less than 10 μm in diameter) was observed when the analysis focused on April to August. Thresholds above which hospital admissions are likely to increase include daily mean Tair = 26.1 °C, PET = 29 °C, and UTCI = 26 °C. Studies on heat-related health effects are necessary to monitor health patterns, raise awareness, and design adaptation and mitigation measures.
The consequences of climate change and global warming have become irrefutable. Scientists are working to change the alarming scenario awaiting humanity in the future. On the other hand, they have proved that the increasing trend of many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, are caused by global warming. In this research, data collected from national and international databases were analysed and compared. The aim of this research is presenting the relationship between increasing temperature anomalies and rising cancer trend. As a result of the study, it is determined that the rising global surface temperature and increasing cancer rates are directly related. In the study, data related to Northern Cyprus were also examined. According to the findings; poor waste management and uncontrolled carbon dioxide emissions are responsible for raising cancer rates and cardiovascular diseases in North Cyprus.
Mosquitoes are vectors of pathogens, causing human and animal diseases. Their ability to adapt and expand worldwide increases spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Climate changes contribute in enhancing these “epidemic conditions”. Understanding the effect of weather variables on mosquito seasonality and host searching activity contributes towards risk control of the mosquito-borne disease outbreaks. To enable early detection of Aedes invasive species we developed a surveillance network for both invasive and native mosquitoes at the main point of entry for the first time in Cyprus. Mosquito sampling was carried out for one year (May 2017-June 2018), at bimonthly intervals around Limassol port. Morphological and molecular identification confirmed the presence of 5 species in the study region: Culex. pipiens, Aedes detritus, Ae. caspius, Culiseta longiareolata and Cs. annulata. No invasive Aedes mosquito species were detected. The Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression were used to compare number of sampled mosquitoes and weather variables for three most numerous species (Cx. pipiens, Ae. detritus and Ae. caspius). The population densities of the most numerous species were highest from February to April. Number of Cx. pipiens (-0.48), Ae. detritus (-0.40) and Ae. caspius (-0.38) specimens sampled was negatively correlated with average daily temperature. Monthly relative humidity showed positive correlation with the numbers of the species sampled, Cx. pipiens (0.66) Ae. detritus (0.68), and Ae. caspius (0.71). Mosquito abundance of Cx. pipiens (0.97) and Ae. detritus (0.98) was strongly correlated to seasonal precipitation as well. Our work is a stepping stone to further stimulate implementation of International Health Regulations and implementation of early warning surveillance system for detection of invasive Aedes mosquitoes, native mosquitoes and arboviruses they may transmit. A network for the surveillance of both invasive and native mosquito species at the main point of entry for the first time in Cyprus was developed. Number of mosquitoes sampled was correlated with weather factors to identify parameters that might predict mosquito activity and species distribution to the prevention of international spread of vector mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases.
People exposed to heat experience symptoms of varying severity, from mild manifestations to heat stroke. Due to global warming, interest in the impact of heat exposure on human health has been increasing. This study investigated the association between outdoor thermal conditions and heat-related symptoms experienced by pedestrians in a temperate-Mediterranean and hot semi-arid climate. In the study, pedestrians participated in questionnaire-based surveys at outdoor sites in Cyprus in summer and autumn 2019 while the weather conditions at the sites were recorded. In the surveys, pedestrians reported whether they had experienced heat-related symptoms. The physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) was used to estimate the effect of the thermal environment. Statistical analyses of the data included the use of multivariable logistic regression models. In total, 1880 individuals (999 males, 54.2%; mean age +/- standard deviation 38.4 +/- 18.4 years) responded to the surveys of heat-related symptoms. An increase of 1 degrees C in air temperature (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.16) or PET (aOR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.07) was associated with an elevated probability of reporting heat-related symptoms. The magnitude of the association of PET with the reporting of heat-related symptoms was found to be higher for nonpermanent residents in Cyprus (aOR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.21). Females were more likely than males to report heat-related symptoms (aOR: 2.36, 95% CI: 1.82-3.06). Visiting the monitoring site for work (aOR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.26-2.26) or reporting a medical history of respiratory disease (aOR: 3.60, 95% CI: 2.39-5.42) were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting heat-related symptoms. The thermal conditions and participant characteristics were associated with increased reporting of heat-related symptoms during non-heat-wave but warm periods in Cyprus. These results could have implications for adaptation measures, healthcare delivery, and public health services.
