Causes of anemia are complex and our data do not allow us to directly identify those involved. However, our analysis points toward the existence of direct effects of heat on hemoglobin levels through the two main mechanisms the human body uses to cool itself: transpiration and vasodilation.
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Also, we try to find explanations for this positive association between temperature and anemia.
We conclude that our results are unlikely to be explained by nutritional deficiencies.
Malaria may amplify the association between heat exposure and anemia but cannot be the main mechanism.
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Finally, we estimate the number of extra anemia cases induced by a +2°C increase in air temperature, which has an associated cost of around 4 billion US $. This sheds light on the economic burden of morbidity induced by temperature rise. In a warming climate, these costs should not be ignored.
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