Rainfall events and daily mortality across 645 global locations: two stage time series analysis
Authors: He Cheng , Breitner-Busch Susanne , Huber Veronika , Chen Kai , Zhang Siqi , Gasparrini Antonio , Bell Michelle , Kan Haidong , Royé Dominic , Armstrong Ben , Schwartz Joel , Sera Francesco , Vicedo-Cabrera Ana Maria , Honda Yasushi , Jaakkola Jouni J K , Ryti Niilo , Kyselý Jan , Guo Yuming , Tong Shilu , de’Donato Francesca , Michelozzi Paola , Coelho Micheline de Sousa Zanotti Staglior , Saldiva Paulo Hilario Nascimento , Lavigne Eric , Orru Hans , Indermitte Ene , Pascal Mathilde , Goodman Patrick , Zeka Ariana , Kim Yoonhee , Diaz Magali Hurtado , Arellano Eunice Elizabeth Félix , Overcenco Ala , Klompmaker Jochem , Rao Shilpa , Palomares Alfonso Diz-Lois , Carrasco Gabriel , Seposo Xerxes , Pereira da Silva Susana das Neves , Madureira Joana , Holobaca Iulian-Horia , Scovronick Noah , Acquaotta Fiorella , Kim Ho , Lee Whanhee , Hashizume Masahiro , Tobias Aurelio , Íñiguez Carmen , Forsberg Bertil , Ragettli Martina S , Guo Yue Leon , Pan Shih-Chun , Osorio Samuel , Li Shanshan , Zanobetti Antonella , Dang Tran Ngoc , Van Dung Do , Schneider Alexandra 
Published: October 2024

Objective

To examine the associations between characteristics of daily rainfall (intensity, duration, and frequency) and all cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality.

Design

Two stage time series analysis.

Setting

645 locations across 34 countries or regions.

Population

Daily mortality data, comprising a total of 109 954 744 all cause, 31 164 161 cardiovascular, and 11 817 278 respiratory deaths from 1980 to 2020.

Main outcome measure

Association between daily mortality and rainfall events with return periods (the expected average time between occurrences of an extreme event of a certain magnitude) of one year, two years, and five years, with a 14 day lag period. A continuous relative intensity index was used to generate intensity-response curves to estimate mortality risks at a global scale.

Results

During the study period, a total of 50 913 rainfall events with a one year return period, 8362 events with a two year return period, and 3301 events with a five year return period were identified. A day of extreme rainfall with a five year return period was significantly associated with increased daily all cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality, with cumulative relative risks across 0-14 lag days of 1.08 (95% confidence interval 1.05 to 1.11), 1.05 (1.02 to 1.08), and 1.29 (1.19 to 1.39), respectively. Rainfall events with a two year return period were associated with respiratory mortality only, whereas no significant associations were found for events with a one year return period. Non-linear analysis revealed protective effects (relative risk <1) with moderate-heavy rainfall events, shifting to adverse effects (relative risk >1) with extreme intensities. Additionally, mortality risks from extreme rainfall events appeared to be modified by climate type, baseline variability in rainfall, and vegetation coverage, whereas the moderating effects of population density and income level were not significant. Locations with lower variability of baseline rainfall or scarce vegetation coverage showed higher risks.

Conclusion

Daily rainfall intensity is associated with varying health effects, with extreme events linked to an increasing relative risk for all cause, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality. The observed associations varied with local climate and urban infrastructure.