Extreme heat is a major public health threat that strains health systems during heatwaves and in the days that follow.
Researchers are now calling for emergency departments to start planning now for an influx of patients during these periods.
Hannah Mason, a public health researcher at James Cook University, is a co-author of a study exploring the impact of heatwaves on emergency departments. She said February 4 is the Australian Red Cross Extreme Heat Awareness Day, and with heatwaves expected to become more frequent and intense it is time to prepare.
"Heatwaves increase the risk of heat stress-related conditions and exacerbate pre-existing illnesses such as heart and kidney disease," said Miss Mason.
"They are the deadliest natural hazard both globally and in Australia, causing more deaths than all other hazards combined."
The researchers examined Queensland Emergency Department (ED) presentations from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019, across demographic, clinical and temporal dimensions.
"We found a 10% increase in ED presentations on heatwave days compared to non-heatwave days, with the effect strongest during extreme heatwaves where the increase was nearly 23%.
"It was even worse outside the cities, people in very remote areas experienced a more than 54% rise in ED visits," said Miss Mason.
She said the study found that people of all ages and sex were at risk , with presentations rising across most diagnostic categories, underscoring the broad health effects of extreme heat.
"It's obvious that EDs must prepare for higher patient volumes as heatwaves becoming longer, more frequent and more severe," she said.
"With variable effects across location, diagnosis and time, there is a need for targeted preparedness and mitigation strategies, particularly for vulnerable and remote communities."
Link to paper
