Sociodemographic Inequalities in Heat-Related Mortality across Summer Seasons from 2022 to 2024 in Peru

Aim To assess sociodemographic inequalities in Heat-Related Mortality (HRM) across Peruvian departments during the summer seasons from 2022 to 2024.

An ecological study was conducted to analyze excess mortality during the summers of 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 in relation to maximum temperature records across 24 Peruvian departments. Sociodemographic factors, including sex, age group (<60 years or ≥60 years), and educational level (elementary or lower vs. higher education), were considered. HRM was estimated for the overall population and stratified by sociodemographic characteristics using Poisson regression models. Inequality in HRM was quantified using the GINI index, where values near 1 indicate absolute inequality, while values closer to 0 suggest greater equality.

A total of 70,832 deaths were analyzed, with 35,268 occurring in the summer of 2022–2023 and 35,564 in 2023–2024. The mean HRM was 29.24%, ranging from 2.26% to 166.67% across 10 departments. Higher HRM values were observed among females (HRM=51.90%), individuals <60 years (HRM=68.63%), and those with higher educational attainment (HRM=62.20%). The overall GINI index for HRM was 0.64, with greater inequality observed among females (GINI=0.38), individuals <60 years (GINI=0.51), and those with higher education levels (GINI=0.47).

Significant sociodemographic inequalities in HRM were observed across Peruvian departments during the summer seasons from 2022 to 2024. The highest inequalities were found among females, individuals <60 years, and those with higher educational attainment. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement This study was funded by the author Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The study used ONLY openly available data I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability The data are available in open platforms in Peru, such as SINADEF (https://bit.ly/3PXyGBQ) or SENAMHI (https://bit.ly/40RWnSh).