Preparing for a hotter climate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of heatwaves and ambulance callouts in Australia

CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to heatwaves is associated with an increased likelihood of ambulance callouts, and there is a dose-response association between heatwave severity and the likelihood of ambulance callouts.IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH: The number of heatwave days are going to increase, and this will mean an increase in the likelihood of ambulance callouts, thereby, spotlighting the real burden that heatwaves place on our already stressed healthcare system. The findings of this study underscore the critical need for proactive measures, including the establishment of research initiatives and holistic heat health awareness campaigns, spanning from the individual and community levels to the healthcare system, in order to create a more resilient Australia in the face of heatwave-related challenges.PMID:38286717 | DOI:10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100115
Source: Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Source Type: research