The Health Care Costs of Extreme Heat

Sep 5, 2023 | News

Heat Advisory: Health Care Costs for the Long, Hot Summers Ahead

This summer, temperatures around most of the US have soared along with heat-related illnesses and their strain on the health care system. While many can escape to air-conditioned homes, offices, and cars, millions of Americans are not as fortunate. Workers in high-heat industries such as iron and steel, construction, bakeries, commercial kitchens, and lawn care are already dealing with daily high-heat exposures and face an even greater threat of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and possible death. Even children participating in sports and outdoor activities are at risk.

Health care costs are heating up

A recent study found that extreme heat will continue to drive up health care costs by $1 billion each summer, when extrapolated nationally.1 The report was based on insurance claims data from Virginia’s all-payer claims database during the 5 summers from 2016-2020.

The report projects that each summer’s US heat-related events result in:

  • Almost 235,000 additional emergency department visits
  • Almost 56,000 additional hospital admissions

Extreme heat’s effect on mental and physical health

The human body is designed to “keep its cool” by self-regulating its temperature when exposed to severe heat. The body adapts by increasing perspiration (sweating) followed by evaporative cooling. However, thermoregulation can fail due to prolonged heat exposure, when humidity levels interfere with evaporation, and when dehydration and salt depletion reduce blood pressure and cause electrolyte imbalance.

Populations at the greatest risk from extreme heat:

  • Infants and toddlers, pregnant women, and the elderly have more difficulty regulating their body temperature and face greater risks during extreme heat events
  • People with long-term health conditions like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses are more at risk of both heat exhaustion and heatstroke 2
  • Extreme heat is associated with a higher risk of kidney problems, skin infections, and pre-term births
  • Cardiovascular disease may account for nearly one-fourth of heat-related deaths3

A 2021 study explored the effect of extreme temperatures on emergency room (ER) visits for mental health disorders using 2.8 million New York State records from 2009 to 2016.4 The study found that ER visits by people with mental disorders significantly increased. This also included people with mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and dementia. It concluded that even moderately hot days can place vulnerable individuals at higher risk.

Source: Yoo EH, Eum Y, Roberts JE, Gao Q, Chen K. Association between extreme temperatures and emergency room visits related to mental disorders: a mult-region time-series study in New York, USA. Sci Total Environ. 2021;792:148246. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148246

Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke

Hot days can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and in the worst cases, heatstroke. Heat exhaustion is not usually serious if a person can cool down within 30 minutes. However, if it turns into a heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Heat exhaustion:

  • Increase in body temperature > 37oC
  • Muscle weakness/cramps
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cool, pale clammy skin
  • Excessive sweating

Heat stroke:

  • Increase in body temperature > 40oC
  • Altered mental state
  • Rapid pulse
  • Red, hot, dry skin
  • Throbbing headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Disoriented

Heat exhaustion:

  • Increase in body temperature > 37oC
  • Muscle weakness/cramps
  • Rapid, weak pulse
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cool, pale clammy skin
  • Excessive sweating

Heat stroke:

  • Increase in body temperature > 40oC
  • Altered mental state
  • Rapid pulse
  • Red, hot, dry skin
  • Throbbing headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Disoriented

Extreme heat toolkits for providers, patients, and administrators

The following resources were created by AmeriCares, a health-focused relief and development organization that responds to people affected by poverty or disaster with life-changing medicine, medical supplies, and health services and programs.

For Providers

For Patients

For Administrators

Extreme heat is becoming increasingly common and more dangerous. Preparing for the increased demand for heat-related health care services is more important than ever before. If your brand team would like to work with a partner that is prepared for today’s healthcare needs and anticipates ones in the future, contact Jon or Hoon at RRx. Let’s talk.

 

REFERENCES:

  1. The health care costs of extreme heat. The Center for American Progress. Published June 27, 2023. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-health-care-costs-of-extreme-heat/
  2. Heat and health. World Health Organization. Published June 1, 2018. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health
  3. Climate change indicators: heat-related deaths. Environmental Protection Agency. Updated July 21, 2023. Accessed September 6, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths
  4. Yoo EH, Eum Y, Roberts JE, Gao Q, Chen K. Association between extreme temperatures and emergency room visits related to mental disorders: a mult-region time-series study in New York, USA. Sci Total Environ. 2021;792:148246. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148246

1 Comment

  1. Arthur Male on September 12, 2023 at 12:34 pm

    Very helpful information! Good research. I believe everyone involved in health care provision, producers, providers and patients will benefit from this helpful public service information!