Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2023-92
https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-2023-92
08 Dec 2023
 | 08 Dec 2023
Status: a revised version of this preprint was accepted for the journal CP and is expected to appear here in due course.

Climatic impacts on mortality in pre-industrial Sweden

Tzu Tung Chen, Rodney Edvinsson, Karin Modig, Hans W. Linderholm, and Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist

Abstract. Climate variability and change, as well as extreme weather events, have notable impacts on human health and mortality. In historical times, the effect of climate on health and mortality was presumably stronger than today, owing to that nutrition status was meditated through climatic impacts on food production along with factors such as poor housing and healthcare. Despite this, climatic impacts on mortality in the past remain poorly understood. This study aims to improve the understanding of historical climate effects on mortality, using annual mortality records and meteorological data from Sweden between 1749 and 1859. The analysis includes the entire population as well as subgroups based on sex and age. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between winter and spring temperatures and mortality (i.e., lower temperatures = higher mortality and vice versa). We demonstrate that colder winters and springs were linked to higher mortality levels, not only for the same year but also the following year. Conversely, no statistically significant associations were observed between summer or autumn temperatures and mortality, and only weak associations existed with precipitation. The impact of winter– spring temperature on mortality was most pronounced for the same year in southern Sweden and during the 19th century, but stronger for the following year in central Sweden and during the 18th century. These findings call for further research, especially investigating specific diseases and additional contributing factors to the observed increase in mortality following cold winter and spring conditions in Sweden during the late pre-industrial period.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Tzu Tung Chen, Rodney Edvinsson, Karin Modig, Hans W. Linderholm, and Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 23 Jan 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Bertil Forsberg, 20 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Anonymous Referee #2, 30 Apr 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 May 2024
  • AC4: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 Jul 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Anonymous Referee #1, 25 Dec 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 23 Jan 2024
  • CC1: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Bertil Forsberg, 20 Mar 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on CC1', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 May 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Anonymous Referee #2, 30 Apr 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 May 2024
  • AC4: 'Comment on cp-2023-92', Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist, 21 Jul 2024
Tzu Tung Chen, Rodney Edvinsson, Karin Modig, Hans W. Linderholm, and Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist
Tzu Tung Chen, Rodney Edvinsson, Karin Modig, Hans W. Linderholm, and Fredrik Charpentier Ljungqvist

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Short summary
We study the climate effects on mortality, using annual mortality records and meteorological data, in Sweden between 1749 and 1859. It is found that colder winter and spring temperatures increased mortality, while no statistically significant associations were observed between summer or autumn temperatures and mortality, and only weak associations existed with precipitation. Further research is needed about which specific diseases caused the mortality increase following cold winters and springs.