The effects of extreme heat on stroke hospitalizations: Evidence from China

This study examines the impact of extreme heat on stroke-related hospitalization outcomes, specifically total expenditures and length of hospital stay, in a developing country context. Using patient-level hospitalization data collected from a major Chinese city, we report that heatwave exposure is positively correlated with both hospitalization expenditures and duration. Specifically, each additional day within the preceding week in which the average temperature exceeds 30 °C, relative to a moderate-temperature day (18-22 °C), is associated with a 1.92% (95% CI 1.390-2.453, 340.98 yuan) increase in total hospitalization expenditures. The effects are especially pronounced among male patients and those experiencing hemorrhagic stroke, with reimbursement-related costs accounting for the majority of the observed increase. We further explored potential mechanisms through both physiological and psychological pathways. Our findings suggest that stroke patients with preexisting cardiovascular conditions and mental disorders may be particularly vulnerable to extreme heat exposure.