Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic of emergency department (ED) access during heat waves. Given the importance of avoiding overcrowding and long waits in an ED, it is important to explore all the possible determinants of ED inflows. We shed some light on the impact that heat waves have on this dynamic, via a quantitative analysis of the number of ED visits in the Campania region of Italy during the summers between 2016 and 2019. Aggregating individual-level data, we examine the relationship between extreme heat events and number of ED visits, controlling for social, demographic and economic characteristics. Our findings, obtained through Random Effects Poisson and fractional probit estimations, show that heat waves above 39 perceived degrees Celsius significantly increase the number of ED visits, revealing the impact that heat waves have on ED utilization in Campania. Insights for local public health strategies and emergency preparedness initiatives are discussed.