Heat makes emergency rooms busier. Study shows which illness and injuries rise during hot spells

When temperatures soar to 92.6 degrees (33.7 degrees Celsius) or higher, emergency rooms and urgent care centers in Chicago see a surge in patients, according to a comprehensive study conducted by Northwestern University medical school researchers. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that various injuries and illnesses become more prevalent during hot spells.

Accidental gunshot wounds saw an increase of over 30 times compared to days under 92 degrees, while kidney complaints, skin problems, varicose veins, and even mental health issues related to marijuana use also rose. While the study focused on Chicago, experts say it highlights the often-overlooked health risks posed by heat exposure and the rising costs associated with it.

Dr. Abel Kho, the senior author of the study and an internal medicine professor at Northwestern, emphasized that hot days are associated with a higher likelihood of external injuries and complications of certain conditions, such as kidney disorders or drug effects, like cannabinoids. Dr. Jonathan Patz, chair of health and environment at the University of Wisconsin, noted that the study confirms the underestimation of health risks from heat exposure.

The researchers found associations between high temperatures and individual medical problems, but it doesn't establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, president-elect of the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians, stated that the findings underscore the need for caution during extreme heat days, particularly for individuals with chronic conditions such as kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, or venous issues.

The study also found that the representation of Black people and women in the dataset was higher than the general population, which is a positive aspect as those groups are often underrepresented in medical studies. Dr. Kris Ebi, a climate and health scientist at the University of Washington, pointed out that heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged, and thus, the effects of heat on health extend beyond mortality to include morbidity as well.