Exposure to higher temperatures is an established threat to public health and has been reported to be associated with many medical conditions and deaths. On extremely hot summer days, US adults are reported to be at an increased risk of visiting emergency dept. (ED) rooms for mental health crises related to substance use, anxiety, stress & more.
This is revealed in a study published in the Journal JAMA Psychiatry by Dr Amruta Nori Sarma and her team at Environmental Health at Boston University School Of Public Health. Amruta and her team obtained daily maximum ambient temperature data from the PRISM climate group. To find the relation between higher temperatures and ED visits, data had to be analysed considering various circumstances including age, sex, locations etc.
Finally the studies suggested established an association between higher ambient temperatures & ED visits. The main findings of the study are as follows:
1. There is a higher likelihood of Emergency Department Visits for mental health conditions on days of extreme heat.
2. This adds to growing evidence that warmth brought on by climate change can worsen symptoms of mental health conditions.
3. The findings could inform Public Health measures to prevent worsening of mental health symptoms in susceptible individuals during high temperatures.
4. The key takeaway from this study is that days of extreme heat are also linked to a higher risk of needing care for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use & self harm.
5. Extreme weather events such as droughts, wildfires & floods have a clear impact on the mental well- being of the people who experience them.
However, the persistent anxiety about the future of life on our planet looms and can also take its toll. Many environmental campaigners who are frustrated at the failure of politicians and capitalists to act in time to take measures to prevent the adverse effects of climate change on biodiversity as the planet may experience. Thus it is important to build resilience and to turn “eco-anxiety” into positive action.
Climate Change & Hotter Weather Can Impact Mental Health – Study Reveals
Latest from Health
Psilocybin Reduces OCD Symptoms by Up to 19% in Mice: Could a Single Mushroom Dose Replace Daily Medications?
Hebrew University scientists have documented sustained effects of psilocybin, a special kind of mushroom, on compulsive behaviors lasting up to seven weeks after a single dose with its extract. The research, published
Costco Recalls Nearly 80,000 Pounds of Kirkland Butter for Missing Milk Allergen Labeling—Check Affected Lots Now
In a recent development that sparked both concern and online discussion, Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC initiated a voluntary recall of Kirkland Signature butter products in October 2023. The recall affects nearly
Air Pollution Linked to Autism Risk: Study Reveals Fine Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxides Impact Prenatal Brain Development, Increasing Vulnerability to ASD
It’s wisely said that health is wealth. Mental health is still more important for anyone’s growth. A groundbreaking review, published in Brain Medicine, has revealed how common air pollutants might significantly impact
Breast Cancer Rates Up 1% Yearly, with Sharpest Rises Among Women Under 50 and AAPI Women—Black Women 38% More Likely to Die Despite Lower Incidence
Breast cancer rates have been climbing steadily at 1% per year from 2012-2021, with even sharper increases for women under 50 and Asian American and Pacific Islander women, according to a recent
Exercise Just 5 Minutes Daily to Lower Blood Pressure and Cut Heart Disease Risk by 10%, New Study Finds
We’ve long wondered how much exercise we really need for better heart health. Now, a comprehensive British Heart Foundation-funded study published in Circulation brings us precise answers about blood pressure management through
American Stroke Association’s 2024 Guidelines: How Diet, Exercise, and Social Factors Could Prevent 80% of First Strokes
The American Stroke Association (ASA), a division of the American Heart Association, has released its 2024 stroke prevention guidelines – replacing the 2014 version. With over 600,000 Americans experiencing their first stroke
Fish Oil’s Omega-3 and Omega-6 Could Help Lower Risks for 19 Cancer Types, But a New Study Finds One Key Exception
Scientists at the University of Georgia dug deep into this idea, looking at health records of 250,000 people – yeah, that’s about the population of a small city! Over 10 years of
PRIMA Retinal Implant Achieves 23-Letter Vision Gain in AMD Patients: Legally Blind Regain Ability to Read and Recognize Faces
Science Corporation’s PRIMA retinal implant system has achieved unprecedented success in restoring functional vision to patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to preliminary clinical trial results released October 21, 2024. The
Hemp Seeds: The Protein-Packed Superfood Behind 12 Must-Try Recipes, from Vegan Meatballs to Dairy-Free Crêpes
The health-conscious foodies and culinary inventors have won over hemp seeds. These seeds are very versatile and powerful nutritional superfoods. The powerhouse in hemp seeds consists of a balanced mixture of protein,
EU PFAS Ban Pushes Fraunhofer’s Novel PFAS-Free Solutions: How Health Technology is Adapting
Our life is full of complexities. It depends on many factors. One of them is chemicals we use in our daily life. Some chemicals are toxic. That is why the EU (European
Microscopic Robots Deliver 4 Drugs Precisely: A New Milestone in Targeted Therapy Advances
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have created soft robots the size of a grain that can carry and deliver multiple medications inside the human body. These microscopic medical couriers,
Ozempic Weight-Loss Craze Hits India’s Gray Market: A Global Obesity Drug Sparks Serious Health Risk Concerns as Celebs Drive Demand
Ozempic, the diabetes medication turned weight-loss sensation, has taken India by storm despite its official unavailability in the country. The semaglutide-based injection, known for its appetite-suppressing effects, has gained immense popularity among
University of Pennsylvania’s 7-Tesla High-Res MRI Study: How UPenn’s 135 Brain Scans Uncover New Dementia and Alzheimer’s Insights
A research team from the University of Pennsylvania has reported creating a high-resolution dataset by scanning 135 ex vivo human brain tissue specimens using a 7 Tesla MRI, which provides high-resolution imaging
Ozempic-Linked Drug Semaglutide Trial Shows 52% Drop in Kidney Disease Markers – Is This the Next Big Breakthrough for CKD Patients?
Recent research shows that semaglutide (Ozempic®) can help patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and obesity, expanding its known benefits beyond diabetes treatment. The study, published in Nature Medicine, demonstrates substantial improvements
Pesticide Exposure in San Joaquin Valley of California: Study Finds Banned and Harmful Toxins in 22% of Residents’ Breathable Air
In a startling revelation, a recent UC Davis study found that residents of California’s agricultural heartland, the San Joaquin Valley, are routinely breathing in a cocktail of pesticides, including some that are