Heat-Related Emergency Department Visits - United States, May-September 2023

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Extreme heat events pose significant health risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women, and outdoor workers.
• The United States experienced record-breaking temperatures in 2023, increasing public exposure to prolonged periods of extreme heat.
• Heat-related illnesses (HRI) represent a growing public health concern, exacerbated by climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze emergency department (ED) visit trends for HRI during the 2023 warm season.
• To compare 2023 HRI ED visit rates with historical data from 2018-2022.
• To inform public health interventions and risk communication strategies for extreme heat.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program to track daily ED visits for HRI.
• Compared HRI ED visit rates during May-September 2023 against the average rates from 2018-2022.
• Analyzed demographic data, noting differences in HRI ED visits between males and females, particularly in the 18-64 age group.

Main Results:

• Daily HRI ED visit rates peaked and remained elevated for extended periods across multiple US regions in 2023.
• Males, especially those aged 18-64, represented a higher proportion of HRI ED visits compared to females.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued public health alerts to address the surge in HRI ED visits.

Conclusions:

• Extreme heat events, amplified by climate change, necessitate ongoing public health vigilance.
• Real-time monitoring of weather and health outcomes is essential for effective public health communication and prevention.
• Targeted interventions and timely risk communication are vital to mitigate the health impacts of extreme heat.