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Despite their relative importance in terms of human mortality, extreme heat events have not attracted the same level of study compared with other natural hazards in regards to vulnerability and implications for emergency management and policy change. Definitional confusion and inconsistencies in defining heat related deaths over time have made it difficult to determine an absolute death toll. Notwithstanding these issues, this study employs PerilAUS - Risk Frontiers' database of natural hazard event impacts - in combination with official sources in an attempt to provide a lower-bound estimate of heat-associated deaths in Australia since European settlement. From 1844 to 2010, extreme heat events have been responsible for at least 5332 fatalities in Australia and, since 1900, 4555: more than the combined total of deaths from all other natural hazards. Over 30% of those deaths occurred in just nine events. Both deaths and death rates (per unit of population) fluctuate widely but show an overall decrease with time. The male to female death-rate ratio has fluctuated and approaches but does not reach equality in more recent times. In line with other studies, seniors have been the most vulnerable age group overall, with infants also over-represented. Policy implications in view of a warming climate and an ageing population are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on fatalities from flooding in Australia has been compiled from newspapers, historical accounts, and government and scientific reports. Records covering 1788 to 1996 indicate that at least 2213 persons have been killed in floods in Australia. The overall decadal death rate has decreased from 23.98 per 100 000 population in the 1800s to 0.04 per 100 000 in the 1990s. The greatest number of fatalities has occurred in New South Wales but, taking population into account, Queensland has been the most vulnerable state historically as, more recently, has been the Northern Territory. Most fatalities have occurred during February, and amongst males (80.6 per cent). The overall male:female death and death-rate ratios are both 4:1. Whereas the male:female death-rate ratio has fluctuated over time from 10:1 to 1:1, it does not approach equality. Most fatalities (38.5 per cent) have occurred through attempts to cross creeks, bridges or roads in times of flood. Another 31.5 per cent of victims were in houses-the majority awaiting rescue, or simply unaware of the flood. Of the total known deaths, work-related fatalities have accounted for 12.4 per cent, and recreational pursuits for 5.7 per cent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]