By CNBC-TV18.com
CNBC-TV18.com
Published June 13, 2024
Researchers from Pusan National University, South Korea, examined how exposure to heat impacted emergency admissions during warm seasons in the country – June to September.
They looked at people with four types of disabilities – physical, brain lesion disorders, vision, and hearing impairments.
The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, found that this section of society was at twice the risk of hospitalisation compared to the general population.
The researchers found a fourfold increase in emergency admissions and seven times higher medical costs in people with disabilities.
Those with disabilities, people having brain lesion disorders and severe physical disabilities, along with women and those older than 65 years, were found to be more vulnerable to extreme heat.
"As far as we know, there are still a limited number of guidelines against climate change in the context of people with disabilities.”, said lead researcher Whanhee Lee from Pusan National University.
Public health policies could include practical actions addressing various disabilities, along with healthcare training to consider the diverse medical conditions of people with disabilities and the impacts of climate change on their health.