Extended Abstract (88K)3B.1
Prevalence of weather sensitivity in Germany
Peter Hoeppe, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Bavaria, Germany; and S. von Mackensen, D. Nowak, and E. Piel
As epidemiological data on prevalence of weather-related health effects were lacking we conducted a weather sensitivity (WS) survey in Germany. Altogether 1064 citizens (age>16) representative in reference to age, gender, regional distribution, residential environment, professional and family status as well as size of household were interviewed in January 2001. The results show that 19.2% of the population believe that weather influences their health to a "high degree", 35.3% that weather has "some influence on their health". The highest prevalence of WS (high + some influence) is found in the age group of >60 years in 68% of the subjects. The highest frequencies of weather related symptoms are reported for stormy weather (30%) and, when it gets colder (29%). The most frequent symptoms reported by weather sensitive subjects are headaches/migraine (61%), lethargy (47%), sleep disturbances (46%), fatigue (42%), joint pain (40%), irritation (31%), depression (27%), vertigo (26%), concentration problems (26%) and scar pain (23%). 32% of the weather sensitive subjects have been incapable to do their regular work because of weather-related symptoms at least once last year, 22% even several times. Co-Morbidity was significantly higher in weather sensitive subjects. The results suggest an important role of WS for public health and economy. On basis of these data we are planning studies on causal factors of weather-related health effects.
Supplementary URL: http://arbmed.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de/homepagee.html
Session 3B, Human Physiological and Epidemiological Studies
Monday, 28 October 2002, 4:00 PM-5:30 PM
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