Northwestern University study links extreme heat to 33 diverse health conditions

extreme heat emergency room visits public health climate change medical diagnoses

A large-scale study published in Science Advances reveals that extreme heat is linked to a much broader range of health issues than previously understood. Researchers from Northwestern University analyzed nearly one million emergency room and urgent care visits in Chicago between 2011 and 2023 to identify trends during periods where temperatures exceeded 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit (33.7 degrees Celsius).

The analysis identified 33 distinct medical diagnoses associated with extreme heat. Beyond common issues like dehydration and heatstroke, the study found correlations with skin rashes, acute kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, and mental health or behavioral disorders. Notably, the research highlighted unexpected surges in external injuries, including traffic accidents and assault-related injuries. Accidental gunshot wounds, in particular, saw a more than 30-fold increase on extreme heat days compared to cooler days.

Additionally, the research notes that extreme temperatures can impact substance use and overdose risks. While extreme cold is linked to increased opioid overdoses, extreme heat is associated with a rise in stimulant-related overdoses. On a global scale, the study highlights that climate change-induced heat stress affects up to 590 million children under the age of nine annually.

Entities

Abel Kho · Chicago · Dr. Abel Kho · Imperial County · Northwestern University · RTI International · Science Advances · University of Wisconsin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Up to 590 million children under age nine globally experience heat stress annually due to climate change. www.anatolh.com · www.emakedonia.gr
[● 5 SOURCES] The study analyzed 916,404 emergency room and urgent care visits in Chicago from 2011 to 2023. srnnews.com · www.eldia.es · krmg.com · gulfnews.com · www.newsday.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Extreme heat is linked to increased mental health issues and behavioral disorders. www.anatolh.com · srnnews.com · kurier.at
[● 8 SOURCES] Researchers identified 33 distinct medical diagnoses linked to extreme heat exposure. www.anatolh.com · srnnews.com · www.eldia.es · krmg.com · www.elperiodicoextremadura.com · +3 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Extreme heat is associated with increased rates of kidney disorders and skin problems. srnnews.com · krmg.com · gulfnews.com · www.newsday.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Accidental gunshot wounds increased more than 30-fold on days exceeding 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit. srnnews.com · krmg.com · gulfnews.com · www.newsday.com