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Name of the thesis: Spatial patterns of links between temperature extremes and cardiovascular mortality in the Czech Republic Author: Mgr. Aleš Urban Previous studies have examined relationships of high and low air temperatures to mortality due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the Czech Republic as a whole. Much less has been understood about possible regional differences in the heat and cold effects on mortality. Within four papers published in international peer-reviewed journals, the author of this thesis investigated links between extreme temperatures and CVD mortality in the Czech Republic while considering in particular differences between (i) urban and rural areas, (ii) regions with different socioeconomic status, and (iii) regions with different physical-environmental conditions. Various biometeorological approaches were compared in order to identify meteorological characteristics affecting heat- and cold-related mortality. Excess mortality was determined as differences between observed and expected daily values, the latter being adjusted for long-term changes, annual and weekly cycles, and epidemics of influenza/acute respiratory infections. Air temperature, biometeorological indices (including the Universal Thermal Climate Index, Apparent Temperature, and Physiologically Equivalent... |
