Extreme heat linked to rise in mental health emergency care: Study

Feb 26, 2022

New Delhi, Feb 26 (ANI): According to a new study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers, during periods of extreme heat, clinicians were expected to see an increase in patients. Published in the journal 'JAMA Psychiatry', the study found that days with higher-than-normal temperatures during the summer season in the United States were associated with increased rates of emergency department (ED) visits for any mental health-related condition, particularly substance use, anxiety, and stress disorders, and mood disorders.The impact of heat on physical health has been well documented, but few studies have examined the effects of extreme heat on mental health. This nationwide study was the largest and most comprehensive analysis of daily ambient temperature and mental health-related ED visits among US adults of all ages. The new findings should prompt healthcare providers to prepare for an increased need for mental health services during times when extreme heat is predicted.The researchers found that the impact of heat on mental health was similar across age groups and evident in both men and women and in every region of the country. These results show that heat can profoundly impact the mental health of people regardless of age, sex, or where they live. Heat events will become even more extreme as the climate continues to warm, so it's doubly important to identify the populations that are most vulnerable and to help them adapt to warmer summertime conditions.