Chronic Disease Increases The Odds Of Hospitalization During Heat Waves

Australians diagnosed with one of five chronic health conditions were more likely to require an emergency hospitalization when the ambient daily temperature was 5° Celsius (C) above the median temperature. The chronic conditions included cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental disorders, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among adults aged 65 years and older, those with no chronic conditions had no change in hospitalization when the daily temperature increased. Among those with one chronic condition, the odds of hospitalization were 6% higher, among those with two conditions, the odds were 8% higher, and among those with three . . .