Purpose:To monitor heat stress illness trends and social vulnerabilities related to heat.
Key Information: Data is available on the number and rate of emergency department visits and hospitalizations where heat stress is listed as a primary or other diagnosis. The Heat Vulnerability indicator includes measures that may make people at greater risk for heat-related health effects. These measures are diabetes, heart disease, poverty, race, advanced age, and social isolation.
Collection Period: 2011 - 2016
Rhode Island Numbers
Males are more likely to visit the emergency department and to be hospitalized than women.
Males age 15-34 are most likely to visit the emergency department.
Males over age 65 are most likely to be hospitalized.
Emergency department visits and hospitalizations go up with extended periods when the heat index is above 90 degrees.
Rhode Island Department of Health
