Science Source

A simple method for estimating excess mortality due to heat waves, as applied to the 2006 California heat wave

Aims to characterize excess mortality during a major heat wave in California and its regions; to assess the validity of a simple method
Calculates mortality rate ratios for the heat-wave period, using a reference period of the same number of days from the same summer
Estimates 655 excess deaths, a 6% increase (95% confidence interval, 3–9%), impacting varied geographic/climate regions
Concludes that California experienced excess heat-wave related mortality not restricted to high heat regions