Climate Change Linked to 27 Percent of Recent Heat Visits

Researchers found climate change fueled over a quarter of heat-related emergency room visits between 2018 and 2025.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Severe Weather

Shimmering heat haze rises from a sun-baked asphalt road under a harsh, high-noon sun. — A study published in September 2026 found that climate change was responsible for 27 percent of heat-related emergency room visits in the U.S. from 2018 to 2025. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe climate-related health risks for your household are getting worse?

A study published in September 2026 revealed that climate change was responsible for 27 percent of heat-related emergency room visits across the United States from 2018 to 2025. This research highlights the growing public health burden associated with rising temperatures.

Why it matters

The findings underscore how human-caused climate change is actively increasing the frequency of medical emergencies related to heat. Understanding these trends is crucial for public health preparedness as extreme weather conditions become more frequent.

In the Southern Plains, climate change contributed to 25 percent of heat-related ER visits, with 57 climate-linked incidents per 100,000 total visits compared to an average of 225 total heat-related ER visits per 100,000.

The players

Climate Central

This is an independent organization of scientists and journalists who research and report on the facts about our changing climate and its impact on the public.

The details

Scientists arrived at these figures by comparing historical temperature data against climate models that simulated a world without human-induced warming. They calculated the contribution of climate change by measuring the difference between predicted ER visit rates based on modeled temperatures and actual recorded data.

Heat-related deaths rose by more than 50 percent between 2000 and 2020.
The study analyzed heat-related emergency room visits occurring between 2018 and 2025.
The findings were published in the journal Climatic Change in September 2026.

Seasonal Patterns

This research follows patterns established by the National Weather Service's heat-related mortality tracking protocols to quantify human health impacts. It updates our understanding of how shifting temperature baselines correlate with increased medical strain on the healthcare system.

Residents should monitor local heat advisories and stay hydrated during periods of extreme warmth. Understanding that these risks are linked to long-term climate shifts can help individuals prioritize heat safety and early emergency care.

The takeaway

The study suggests that the human health costs of a warming planet are already quantifiable through hospital admission data. Future increases in heat-related illnesses are expected to continue without significant efforts to mitigate climate change.