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

A study conducted by Northwestern University medical school researchers has revealed a correlation between high temperatures and an increase in emergency room visits for various illnesses and injuries in Chicago. The research team analyzed records of 916,404 visits to hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers between 2011 and 2023, looking for patterns in illnesses and injuries when the temperature reached 92.6 degrees Fahrenheit (33.7 degrees Celsius) or higher.

The study, published in Science Advances, found that when temperatures were high, more than a dozen broad categories of injuries and illnesses became more frequent, some of which may not be commonly associated with heat. Study senior author Dr. Abel Kho, an internal medicine professor at Northwestern, noted that hot days often result in a higher likelihood of external injuries and complications of certain conditions, particularly those related to kidney disorders or exacerbations of drug effects, such as those related to cannabinoids.

Some problems doubled, tripled, or even increased more than 30-fold compared to days under 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Unspecified injuries from assault also showed a significant increase. Dr. Jonathan Patz, chair of health and environment at the University of Wisconsin, emphasized that the study confirms the underestimation of health risks from heat exposures and highlights the increasing strain on the healthcare system and associated costs due to climate change.