More Heat, More Emergencies: the Hidden Impact on Ambulance Services

On the hottest days of the year, ambulances respond to more emergencies than on the coldest days, especially among young people and adolescents.

High and low ambient temperatures pose a significant risk to human health. The high temperatures during the summers of 2022 and 2023 claimed over 109,000 lives in Europe alone and these numbers are expected to rise. But have you ever considered the burden this places on ambulance services – the very people who save our lives? We have! Let’s take a closer look at what we have found out in our study from Czechia, the first nationwide study of temperature-related ambulance dispatches in Europe, which sheds light on this growing challenge.

More heat, more risk — What’s ahead?

The risk of an ambulance being dispatched to a patient due to unexpected health issues is higher on hot days than on cold days. In other words, we register almost twice as many ambulance dispatches due to heat as we do due to cold. Altogether, this accounts for nearly 3,000 extra ambulance dispatches per million people every year due to hot and cold temperatures. This raises particular concerns. Why? Studies on mortality indicate that cold is responsible for ten times more deaths than heat. However, projections show that as temperatures rise, we will see fewer cold-related deaths but more heat-related ones. The steep increase in heat-related mortality will far surpass any reduction in cold-related deaths, resulting in a net increase in deaths across Europe by the end of the century. What rising temperatures will mean for ambulance services, where we already see twice as many dispatches attributed to heat compared to cold, remains largely unexplored, but is intuitively concerning.

Parents should care the most. About their children!

Since the impact of temperatures varies across different groups, in our study, we conducted an analysis stratified by 10-year age groups. Surprisingly, it is not elderly who are at the highest risk. Children, adolescents and young adults were the groups with the highest demand for ambulance services on hot days. For example, the risk of an ambulance being dispatched for a child aged 0-9 during the hottest days of the year is almost 70% higher than on days with optimal temperatures. This means that nearly one in ten ambulance dispatches for a child can be attributed to hot temperatures.

What does it mean for ambulance services?

As we observe that both cold winter days and hot summer days are associated with increased demand for ambulance services, preparedness for such days is essential. To address this, ambulance services can increase personnel on extreme heat days and equip ambulances with cooling supplies, such as ice packs or extra hydration. Training paramedics to recognize and treat heat-related illnesses, especially in children, is also crucial. These strategies can help manage increased demand and protect vulnerable populations during heat waves.

Data from other countries needed!

Understanding how extreme temperatures impact ambulance services is crucial for improving emergency response and protecting public health. While our study provides valuable insights from Czechia, we need data from other countries to get a broader picture. Comparing data across different regions will help us identify patterns, assess vulnerabilities, and develop better strategies for managing heat-related medical emergencies.

Are you aware that some data on to ambulance dispatches is available in your country? If you have insights, access to data, or know someone who does, please reach out. Contact me at: tomas.janos@isglobal.org