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Impact of extreme weather events on healthcare utilization and mortality in the United States.

Authors :
Salas RN
Burke LG
Phelan J
Wellenius GA
Orav EJ
Jha AK
Source :
Nature medicine [Nat Med] 2024 Apr; Vol. 30 (4), pp. 1118-1126. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Feb 29.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events. Yet a systematic analysis of post-disaster healthcare utilization and outcomes for severe weather and climate disasters, as tracked by the US government, is lacking. Following exposure to 42 US billion-dollar weather disasters (severe storm, flood, flood/severe storm, tropical cyclone and winter storm) between 2011 and 2016, we used a difference-in-differences (DID) approach to quantify changes in the rates of emergency department (ED) visits, nonelective hospitalizations and mortality between fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries in affected compared to matched control counties in post-disaster weeks 1, 1-2 and 3-6. Overall, disasters were associated with higher rates of ED utilization in affected counties in post-disaster week 1 (DID of 1.22% (95% CI, 0.20% to 2.25%; Pā€‰<ā€‰0.020)) through week 2. Nonelective hospitalizations were unchanged. Mortality was higher in affected counties in week 1 (DID of 1.40% (95% CI, 0.08% to 2.74%; Pā€‰=ā€‰0.037)) and persisted for 6 weeks. Counties with the greatest loss and damage experienced greater increases in ED and mortality rates compared to all affected counties. Thus, billion-dollar weather disasters are associated with excess ED visits and mortality in Medicare beneficiaries. Tracking these outcomes is important for adaptation that protects patients and communities, health system resilience and policy.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature America, Inc.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1546-170X
Volume :
30
Issue :
4
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Nature medicine
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38424213
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-02833-x