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Determining the Impact of Heatwaves on Emergency Ambulance Calls in Queensland: A Retrospective Population-Based Study

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah M. Mason

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Jemma C. King

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Amy E. Peden

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
    School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia)

  • Kerrianne Watt

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
    Information Support, Research & Evaluation, Queensland Ambulance Service, Brisbane, QLD 4031, Australia)

  • Emma Bosley

    (Information Support, Research & Evaluation, Queensland Ambulance Service, Brisbane, QLD 4031, Australia
    School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Gerard Fitzgerald

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
    School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia)

  • John Nairn

    (School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Lauren Miller

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

  • Nicole Mandalios

    (Disaster Management Branch, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia)

  • Richard C. Franklin

    (Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia)

Abstract

Heatwaves are a significant and growing threat to the health and well-being of the residents of Queensland, Australia. This threat is increasing due to climate change. Excess heat increases the demand for health services, including ambulance calls, and the purpose of this study was to explore this impact across Queensland. A state-wide retrospective analysis of heatwaves and emergency ‘Triple Zero’ (000) calls to Queensland Ambulance (QAS) from 2010–2019 was undertaken. Call data from the QAS and heatwave data from the Bureau of Meteorology were analysed using a case-crossover approach at the postcode level. Ambulance calls increased by 12.68% during heatwaves. The effect was greatest during low-severity heatwaves (22.16%), followed by severe (14.32%) and extreme heatwaves (1.16%). The impact varied by rurality, with those living in very remote areas and major cities most impacted, along with those of low and middle socioeconomic status during low and severe intensity heat events. Lag effects post-heatwave continued for at least 10 days. Heatwaves significantly increase ambulance call centre workload, so ambulance services must actively prepare resources and personnel to address increases in heatwave frequency, duration, and severity. Communities must be informed of the risks of heatwaves at all severities, particularly low severity, and the sustained risks in the days following a heat event.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah M. Mason & Jemma C. King & Amy E. Peden & Kerrianne Watt & Emma Bosley & Gerard Fitzgerald & John Nairn & Lauren Miller & Nicole Mandalios & Richard C. Franklin, 2023. "Determining the Impact of Heatwaves on Emergency Ambulance Calls in Queensland: A Retrospective Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4875-:d:1093212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wenhua Yu & Yuming Guo & Liuhua Shi & Shanshan Li, 2020. "The association between long-term exposure to low-level PM2.5 and mortality in the state of Queensland, Australia: A modelling study with the difference-in-differences approach," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(6), pages 1-19, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kun Hing Yong & Yen Nee Teo & Mohsen Azadbakht & Hai Phung & Cordia Chu, 2023. "The Scorching Truth: Investigating the Impact of Heatwaves on Selangor’s Elderly Hospitalisations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Simon Quilty & Aparna Lal & Bridget Honan & Dan Chateau & Elen O’Donnell & Jodie Mills, 2024. "The Impact of Climate Change on Aeromedical Retrieval Services in Remote Northern Australia: Planning for a Hotter Future," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-12, January.

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