Science Source

The 2006 California Heat Wave: Impacts on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits

Investigates whether any age or race/ethnicity groups experienced increased hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits overall or for selected illnesses during the 2006 California heat wave
Finds that during the heat wave, 16,166 excess ED visits and 1,182 excess hospitalizations occurred statewide
Finds that ED visits for heat-related causes increased across the state [RR = 6.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.67–7.01], especially in the Central Coast region, which includes San Francisco
Finds that Children (0–4 years of age) and the elderly (≥ 65 years of age) were at greatest risk
ED visits also showed significant increases for acute renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, and nephritis
Concludes that the 2006 California heat wave had a substantial effect on morbidity, including regions with relatively modest temperatures