Extreme Temperature, Mortality and Occupation

Even though a worker’s occupation is a crucial determinant of temperature-related
mortality, only a handful of studies assess its effect across different labor groups. This
study contributes to the literature on temperature and mortality by examining the impact of
heat and cold across agricultural, informal, blue-collar, white-collar, and unemployed
workers. Results show that white-collar workers are significantly more resilient to extreme
temperatures than other labor groups, especially the elderly/retired, agrarian, and informal
laborers. Additionally, we provide evidence that climate zones influence the effect and
that extreme temperatures lead to a higher likelihood of heart attacks, diabetes, and
influenza/pneumonia-related mortality.