Evaluating the Impacts of Heatwave Influencing Factors on Heat-related Illness Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling

Heatwaves are natural disasters that cause most human casualties. Owing to the influence of climate change, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves have increased, causing considerable damage in Korea. Even at the same temperature, the heatwave can exhibit different damage patterns depending on environmental and socioeconomic factors. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the influencing factors of heatwaves for effective preparation and response. In this study, partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to quantitatively analyze the direct and indirect effects of heat-related variables on heat-related illnesses. Both the reflective measurement and structural models met the evaluation criteria. In addition, it was confirmed that the economy and urbanization acted as influencing factors of -0.385 and -0.623 on the vulnerable group, respectively, and the vulnerable group had a value of 0.534 for heat-related illness. This study helped comprehensively understand the relationship between heatwave-influencing factors and heat-related illnesses. This study method can be used to investigate the causal relationships among various factors in terms of preparing for and responding to heatwave damage.