As temperatures soar, paramedics find themselves in a frenzy. A groundbreaking study conducted in the German city of Würzburg reveals that ambulance callouts for cardiovascular issues skyrocket by over a third during scorching heatwaves. The most affected areas are densely populated regions with limited green spaces.
Unveiling the Impact of Heatwaves
Between 2011 and 2019, researchers from the University of Potsdam meticulously tracked temperature, air pollution levels, and ambulance dispatches in Würzburg. Published in the esteemed journal Weather, Climate and Society, the study discovered that poor air quality did not significantly contribute to the surge in ambulance calls—perhaps because the detrimental health effects of air pollution often take time to manifest.
However, it was the warmer days that witnessed an alarming spike in cardiovascular emergencies. When the average temperature reached 30°C, ambulance callouts for such cases surged by an astounding 37% compared to days with an average temperature of 18°C. Even after the heatwave subsided, the strain on the healthcare system persisted for up to two days.
Urban Hotspots and the Heat Island Effect
The heart of the Bavarian city, particularly the vicinity around the train station, emerged as the focal points for heat-related emergency calls due to their high activity levels. However, another crucial factor contributing to this phenomenon is the urban heat island effect. As heatwaves become increasingly common, urban planners and public health officials must pay close attention to these findings to ensure societies can adapt to these new summer extremes.
