抄録
Kagoshima Prefecture is located in a warm climate zone in Japan. Cases of sudden death in the bath in Kagoshima Prefecture for the last two years (2006-2007) were investigated. The total number was 338 (174 males and 164 females). Average annual mortality rate (per 100,000 population) was estimated to be 9.7, suggesting that mortality rate of sudden death in the bath in Kagoshima Prefecture should be not less than the rate in other areas of Japan. As previously reported, the death occurred frequently in the aged group and in the winter season. Further, most of the death occurred in the home bath at 4-8 p.m. withlout drinking alcohol. Therefore, it is suggested that the death may often occur in a daily life of the aged. Protective activities by government and society should be developed for reducing the number of sudden death in the bath.
