This study examines the variability in summertime mortality rates with weather conditions across all of Ohio’s counties and counties in adjacent metropolitan areas. Mortality rates are analyzed across different weather types as well as apparent temperatures for the summers of 1975-1998. Data are standardized to account for demographic changes This study examines the variability in summertime mortality rates with weather conditions across all of Ohio’s counties and counties in adjacent metropolitan areas. Mortality rates are analyzed across different weather types as well as apparent temperatures for the summers of 1975-1998. Data are standardized to account for demographic changes, and are examined by race, sex, and age individually as well as aggregated.

In terms of absolute numbers of deaths, the largest numbers are found in the older urban centers. Oppressive weather types are associated with upwards of four additional deaths in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) and three additional deaths in Hamilton County (Cincinnati). Most large urban counties in Ohio show some statistically significant relationship.

When mortality increases are examined as rates relative to the total population, these urban centers no longer stick out, as many rural counties also show statistically significant increases in mortality, despite their smaller absolute numbers. When all rural counties in Ohio are aggregated (2.5 million people), an increase in mortality of five percent is observed when the weather becomes oppressive. This increase is comparable to the aggregate of suburban counties (five percent) and urban counties (four percent). Thus it appears that recent efforts by the National Weather Service to target urban areas for heat-related health problems may be missing similarly vulnerable people in rural areas.

Significant variability among the counties is noted. In a breakdown of mortality across race and sex, no appreciable differences are noted. In examining other potential causes for this variability, while older people seem to be more significantly affected, counties with older populations are not necessarily more vulnerable. A modest correlation was noted between higher mortality rates and percentage of older housing, however.