Heatwaves and emergency department utilisation in Queensland: a 10-year retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Globally, temperatures are increasing due to the effects of climate change. Extreme heat is a public health threat, increasing the burden on health systems during heatwaves, and the days following. Australia is susceptible to extreme heat and must plan accordingly to ensure health systems can respond as heatwave conditions increase in frequency, severity, and duration. This study investigates the impact of heatwaves on Emergency Department (ED) presentations in the state of Queensland, Australia, considering key demographic, clinical, and temporal factors.

Methods

Warm-season (November-March) ED presentations (2010-19) obtained from Queensland Health at the postcode level were analysed in relation to heatwaves. Heatwaves were defined using the Excess Heat Factor,

SUBMITTER: Franklin RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12763879 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature