Abstract
What is already known about this topic? High temperature is a well-recognized public health threat and may increase mortality risks, especially mortality risks involving diseases of the circulatory system. What is added by this report? Using a six-year time series analysis, the differences of daily mean, maximum, minimum temperature were explored in assessing the health effects of high temperatures in nationwide and at climatic-zone level, and population groups susceptible to high temperatures were identified. What are the implications for public health practice? This study suggests that the daily mean temperature is the optimal indicator for high temperature exposure in heat-related health risk assessments and early warnings. The policy measures of heat-related public health protection should be made considering regional distribution, sensitive diseases, and vulnerable populations.