Climate Change Is Behind More Than 1 in 4 Heat-Related ER Visits

Human-caused global warming is being blamed for a significant number of emergency room visits due to heat-related illnesses. Read on for the details of this new study.

Climate Change Responsible for Increased ER Visits as Temperatures Rise

According to a new report from Climate Central, heat-related ER visits would have been 27% lower over the last several years without the impacts of human-caused global warming. The study looked at ER visits during the warm months between 2018 and 2025.

Of the years in question, the June 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest was observed to be the most deadly. Temperatures soared into the triple digits in the normally temperate climate where people are not accustomed to this level of heat. Many homes in Seattle and Portland are not equipped with air conditioning, making heat waves particularly hard on the region.

A 10-day heat wave in California in late summer of 2022 resulted in 1,911 heat-related ER visits. The researchers were able to pin about 570 of those visits on human-caused warming. According to emergency room physician Dr. Caitlin Rublee, “The data support what we are seeing in our hospitals: More people are getting sick from heat exposure, leading to interrupted work and school days, missed vacations, costly emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and, in some cases, death."

The researchers uncovered that ER visits increased as daily temperatures soared. It only takes a few extra degrees to push the body past the limit of what it can typically handle.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the early symptoms of heat illness include headache, nausea, weakness, and dizziness. More severe symptoms indicative of a life-threatening situation include seizures, confusion, or unconsciousness.

Heat Illness a Risk in the Shoulder Season

While many people associate heat-related illnesses with the dog days of summer, researchers warn that the most dangerous time of the year can often be in late spring or early fall. For instance, the highest rate of ER visits due to the heat in the mid-Atlantic happened in May of 2022. This is likely because the residents had not yet acclimated to the heat.

Across the country as a whole, the impacts of climate change on heat-related ER visits were the greatest in September. Scientists believe that this is because people are more likely to let down their guard to the dangers when fall arrives.

“We have an opportunity to prepare now and use science to guide action to prevent these illnesses and build more resilient health systems,” Rublee said. This means being intentional about avoiding the peak afternoon heating hours, checking on elderly neighbors, drinking plenty of water, and seeking out air conditioning if possible.

Young children, older adults, people who work outside, and those with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable to the impacts of heat. Those without access to air conditioning are also more at risk.

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