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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
06:10
Using Generative Art to Convey Past and Future Climate Transitions
Published on: March 31, 2023
Projected Increases in Heat-Related Emergency Department Imaging Utilization Under Climate Change Scenarios.
Eray Yilmaz1,2, Chloe DesRoche3, Pierre Masselot2,4
1Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
Summary
Climate change will increase demand for medical imaging, particularly in emergency departments. Planning for rising temperatures is crucial for healthcare systems to manage future imaging needs.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Medical Imaging
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- The effect of climate warming on medical imaging demand is not well understood.
- Rising global temperatures may influence healthcare utilization patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To project future increases in medical imaging volumes requested by emergency departments (EDs).
- To assess the impact of projected climate change scenarios on imaging demand.
Main Methods:
- Examined the relationship between ambient temperature and imaging use in 5 Toronto EDs (2013-2022).
- Applied baseline temperature-imaging associations to climate model projections through 2092.
- Projected excess ED imaging volumes under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs).
Main Results:
- Higher temperatures correlated with increased baseline imaging utilization (IRR 1.033).
- Projected increases in temperature-attributable imaging demand range from 0.04% to 1.25% by 2083-2092 across emissions scenarios.
- Annual excess imaging studies in Canada could reach over 55,000 by 2092 under high-emissions scenarios.
Conclusions:
- Climate warming is expected to drive higher emergency medical imaging utilization.
- Healthcare systems require climate-informed planning, including adaptation and mitigation strategies, to address future capacity needs.
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