Extreme Heat and Extreme Cold Drive an Increase in Fatal Overdoses
As our planet’s temperatures become more volatile, communities may see an uptick in overdose deaths.
Recent research reveals that both extreme heat and extreme cold are linked to an increase in fatal overdoses, according to a study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. The study, led by Thanh Lu of RTI International, analyzed cause-of-death data from 1999 to 2021 and county-level weather data from NOAA’s Global Historical Climatology Network.
The analysis found that annual fatal overdoses increased with temperature extremes, with one day above 90°F (32°C) leading to a 0.2% rise in overdoses. Extreme low temperatures also resulted in a similar increase. The researchers found that opioid-related overdoses were more common during extreme low temperatures, while stimulant-related overdoses were more correlated with extreme high temperatures.
The findings suggest that extreme temperatures can impact overdoses in two ways: by affecting the body's ability to handle the temperature and by disrupting economic or employment opportunities. Lu and Daniulaityte, a population health researcher at Arizona State University, emphasized the need for more data on how heat affects opioid-related overdoses and the importance of providing cooling and warming centers for people who use drugs.
The study's lead author, Lu, noted that prevention efforts should consider the increased risk for overdoses among vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing housing instability and poor access to health services.
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