Extreme Heat Linked to Surge in ER Visits and Millions in Healthcare Costs, Study Finds

A new study by the Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel has found that extreme heat places a significant burden on public health. The findings were reported on Tuesday by Walla.

The study analyzed data from 2010 to 2023 to examine the relationship between heat stress and emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and mortality. Researchers Or Siman Tov, Prof. Alex Weinreb, Irena Rogozovsky, and Dr. Maya Sade focused on the medical conditions most sensitive to heat, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney disorders.

Emergency Room Visits Rise Sharply During Heat Waves

The findings show that as heat stress increases, so does the number of emergency room visits across nearly all areas of medicine. The sharpest rise was seen among patients with respiratory illnesses, with emergency visits increasing by approximately 41% during weeks of severe heat stress compared with weeks of more moderate temperatures.

Other conditions also showed substantial increases. Emergency visits for kidney disease rose by 28%, while cardiovascular-related visits increased by 18%. The researchers noted that "the combination of high temperatures and humidity makes it more difficult for the body to cool itself, placing additional strain on the heart and lungs and potentially worsening chronic illnesses."

Heat Is Driving Up Healthcare Costs

The study also found that every one-unit increase in the heat stress index results in approximately 5,500 additional hospital days each year.

According to the researchers, the increase in heat stress recorded over the past decade is expected to generate an additional ₪380 million (approximately $100 million) in healthcare costs over the next ten years, largely due to longer hospital stays for patients with heart and respiratory conditions.