Daily HealthBeat Tip

Too hot.

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I�m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A new study indicates that, in a heat wave, central air conditioning can be a literal lifesaver.

Researchers at the University of Michigan and Harvard examined data on households with central air and the number of deaths related to heat in four cities. The study, supported by the National Institutes of Health, was in the Journal of Urban Health.

The researchers found that each ten percent increase in central air produced a one-point-four percent drop in deaths. Black households were less likely than white households to have central A/C, and blacks� death rates were higher.

Lead author Marie O�Neill says many factors figure into heat deaths, including whether people have illnesses such as diabetes or live on higher floors. And she says people can do things to protect themselves:

"Drink more water, don�t exert yourself physically, and stay indoors somewhere that has air conditioning � like a library or a shopping mall � if your home doesn�t have air conditioning." (10 seconds)

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I�m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: July 12, 2005

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