Examining the Relationship Between Heatstroke Incidence, Socioeconomic Factors, and Preventive Measures in Kawasaki, Japan

In Japan, with its warming and aging population, there is an urgent need to reduce the number of heatstroke sufferers. This can be achieved effectively and efficiently by identifying vulnerable socioeconomic factors in Japan and approaching measures. Surveys were conducted to implement effective countermeasures to vulnerable attributes.

A survey was conducted among 10,000 elderly people in Kawasaki City. A chi-square test was conducted to examine the relationship between history of heatstroke, socioeconomic factors, and heatstroke countermeasures, with P<0.1 as significant. Newly identified vulnerable socioeconomic factors in the survey were built 24 years or more ago (OR2.16), wooden structure (OR1.60), means of information gathering (radio (OR1.56)) and underlying medical conditions (diabetes (OR1.81)). Effective measures were found to be “hydration of at least 1.2 L per day almost every day” (OR1.61) and “hygrometer use” (OR3.46). In addition, the respondents were more likely to suffer from heatstroke if the information was collected via radio and less likely to suffer from heatstroke if the information was collected via a website. The number of emergency medical evacuations was expected to decrease by up to 102 (18.5%), 86.1 (15.2%), and 48.4 (8.74%) persons, respectively, when “hygrometer use” was practiced by males, persons requiring long-term care, and patients with dementia.

A similar survey was conducted on 3,523 residents of a municipal housing complex, and vulnerability factors were found to be household income of less than 1.5 million yen (OR 2.07), certification of need for nursing care (OR 6.54), and suspected dementia (OR 1.96). Suggested that groups with lower incomes have unique vulnerability factors.

The results suggest that a person is less likely to suffer from heatstroke if he or she maintains an environment that is less prone to high temperatures, hydrates himself or herself with sufficient amounts of water daily, and is proactive in obtaining information.