Rising climate temperatures are significantly increasing hospitalisations across Ireland for temperature-related health conditions, a new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found.
The report noted that climate change has direct and indirect impacts on population health. Data shows that between 2015 and 2019 emergency hospital admissions for temperature-affected diseases were 8.5 per cent higher on hot days (22-25°C) compared to moderate temperatures (10-13°C) in Ireland.
It also found that the largest increases in hospitalisations on hot days were seen for circulatory, respiratory and infectious diseases, and amongst younger people (0-14 years).
Interestingly, the research showed potential evidence of adaptive behaviour, especially among older people, when temperatures exceed 25°C. It suggested that advance notice of very warm days can help people change their behaviour.
The report combines temperature data from Met Eireann with emergency inpatient hospitalisation data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry dataset.