Am J Public Health. 2026 Jun;116(6):798-805. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.308513.
ABSTRACT
Objectives. To examine the magnitude of heat-related emergency medical services (EMS) activations across the United States and identify factors that increase the risk of heat exposure illness. Methods. We extracted heat-related EMS activations from April through September for 2020 through 2024 from the National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) database. We linked information from the 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index with heat-related EMS activations using county of residence. Our analysis focused on heat-related illness by patient demographic, geographic, and EMS system factors. Results. Among the 79 077 804 EMS activations meeting study inclusion criteria, 261 687 (0.3%) were heat related. The rate of heat-related EMS activations was 16.46 per 100 000 population, with higher rates among older adults, males, African Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders. Rates were higher in rural counties and in counties characterized by the CDC Social Vulnerability Index as having relatively worse socioeconomic or environmental conditions. Heat-related EMS activations were commonly reported in the afternoon and in indoor locations. Conclusions. The NEMSIS database provides novel information that improves our ability to monitor heat-related adverse health outcomes. Public Health Implications. The timely collection and sharing of data provide critical situational awareness to inform public health response efforts during a heat wave. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(6):798-805. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308513).
PMID:42127377 | DOI:10.2105/AJPH.2026.308513
