Dependenta deceselor de frig din ultimul deceniu în Republica Moldova | [Cold-related deaths during last decade in the Republic of Moldova]

Abstract

The phenomenon of climate change has driven the appearance of a multiplicity of studies in medicine as an argumentation for the elaboration of adaptation measures. It investigated a number of death cases in the cold season (November-March) of very cold winters 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 compared with the period of reference (2001-2010) in 4 regions of the Republic of Moldova. During these cold winters, a significant increase both in the absolute number of deaths and in excess deaths has been registered, which is directly correlated with very low temperatures of corresponding periods. At the same time, the number of excess deaths was about three times higher during 2009/2010 compared to 2005/2006 (0.001<p<0.05). Negative consequences of the cold spells can be prevented or mitigated by early warning of population, social support of vulnerable groups, and organization of appropriate response measures, undertaken by administrative bodies and healthcare services at the national and local level.