health
‘Woefully unprepared’: extreme heat will double US hospitalizations by 2040, study finds
Sharp rise in hospital visits will in turn drive up annual healthcare costs for heat-related conditions to over $1bn
TL;DR
- US hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses are projected to rise from 109,000 annually to 237,000 by 2040.
- Annual healthcare costs for heat-related conditions are estimated to exceed $1 billion.
- Severe heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US, with a 50% increase in deaths over the past two decades.
- Vulnerable populations, including those with low incomes, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are at higher risk.
- California and Las Vegas areas are expected to see the highest total number of heat-related health problems.
- Areas unaccustomed to extreme heat, like the northeast and Ohio Valley, may suffer the most severe consequences.
- Rising energy costs for electricity are making it harder for many households to afford air conditioning.
- Many cities, especially in northern latitudes, are inadequately prepared for extreme heat events.