Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025
08:22
A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice
Published on: July 1, 2021
4.0K
High temperatures trigger suicide mortality in Brussels, Belgium: A case-crossover study (2002-2011)
Lidia Casas1, Bianca Cox2, Benoit Nemery3
1Social Epidemiology and Health Policy, Department Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Doornstraat 331, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Institute for Environment and Sustainable Development (IMDO), University of Antwerp, Belgium.
Environmental Research
|October 4, 2021
Summary
High temperatures in Brussels significantly increase suicide risk within a week. Cold weather showed no significant association with suicide deaths. Climate change adaptation must consider temperature impacts on mental health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Climate Change Research
Background:
- Temperature variations are linked to suicide risk, but geographical differences exist.
- This study examines the short-term impact of temperature on suicide deaths in Brussels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between daily average temperature and suicide deaths in Brussels.
- To quantify the risk of suicide mortality associated with moderate and extreme heat and cold events.
Main Methods:
- A bidirectional time-stratified case-crossover study design was employed.
- Suicide deaths (ages 5+) in Brussels (2002-2011) were analyzed using conditional logistic regression and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM).
- Daily average temperatures from Uccle station were used to assess risks relative to median temperature over a one-week lag period.
Main Results:
- 1891 suicide deaths were included in the analysis.
- Moderate and extreme heat (20.9°C and 24.4°C respectively) showed a nearly twofold increased cumulative risk of suicide mortality (RR=1.80, CI: 1.27-2.54 for moderate heat).
- No statistically significant associations were found between cold temperatures and suicide mortality.
Conclusions:
- Elevated temperatures in Brussels are associated with an increased risk of suicide deaths occurring up to one week later.
- Findings highlight the need to incorporate temperature effects on mental health into climate change adaptation strategies.
- Public health interventions should consider the impact of heat on suicide prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Increased Body Temperature
4.8K
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in...
4.8K
01:19Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature
893
Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
893
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
7.4K
As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may include:
Factors may include:
7.4K
01:22Methods of reducing fever
901
The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
901
02:45Responses to Heat and Cold Stress
14.0K
Every organism has an optimum temperature range within which healthy growth and physiological functioning can occur. At the ends of this range, there will be a minimum and maximum temperature that interrupt biological processes.
14.0K
01:29Decreased Body Temperature
738
A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by...
738