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KlimaNot-Effects of Climate Change on Emergency and Acute Care: Protocol for a Multicenter, Registry-Based
Kai Heimrath1, Mirjam Rupprecht2,3, Madlen Schranz2,4
1Institute for Public Health in Acute Medicine, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
JMIR Research Protocols
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Climate change impacts emergency department (ED) visits and health in Germany. This study analyzes weather conditions and ED usage to identify vulnerable groups and improve public health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Climate change increases weather-related health risks, burdening healthcare systems.
- Emergency departments (EDs) are crucial for monitoring population health impacts.
- Previous research shows climate impacts on ED usage, but evidence for Germany is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the association between climate-related weather and ED usage/morbidity in Germany.
- Identify vulnerable patient groups and develop syndromic surveillance indicators.
- Test prediction models for clinical and public health decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Multicenter, registry-based observational cohort study (KlimaNot) with retrospective and prospective components.
- Analysis of ~6.35 million ED visits (2019-2024) from the German National Emergency Department Data Registry (AKTIN).
- Linking environmental exposures (temperature, air pollutants) to ED data; analyzing all-cause ED volume, admission probability, and clinical severity.
Main Results:
- Retrospective data analysis ongoing, completion by April 2026.
- Prospective study results expected by September 2026.
Conclusions:
- This study will provide the first robust evidence on climate change impacts on German ED usage and morbidity.
- Findings will support early detection, preparedness, and targeted protection for vulnerable populations.
- Results will inform clinical and public health decision-making for climate-related health risks.
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