Increased Mortality Risks from a Spectrum of Causes of Tropical Cyclone Exposure - China, 2013-2018

Tropical cyclone (TC) has a substantial and adverse impact on non-accidental mortality. However, whether heterogeneity exists when examining deaths from sub-causes and how TC impacts non-accidental mortality in the short term remain unclear.

This study found substantial associations at lag 0 between TC exposure and circulatory and respiratory mortality. TC exposures were associated with increased risks for several mortality sub-causes at lag 0 day, including ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, cerebrovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Parkinson's disease.

This finding suggests an urgent need to expand the public health focus of natural disaster management to include non-accidental mortality and sub-causes.