The statistic that stands out, however, is how 25 per cent of heat wave victims had schizophrenia, a severe form of psychosis. The health authority also suggested some neighbourhoods immediately plant more trees and other greenery to combat the so-called heat island effect. Urban heat islands are defined as the parts of a city made hotter by human activity, as compared to nearby rural areas. The study indicated people living in heat islands were twice as likely to die from extreme heat than others in cooler parts of the city. Neighbourhoods in heat islands are also home to a higher percentage of people living in poverty.

Source: thestar May 15, 2019 20:37 UTC