Section outline

  • Collapse Expand

    Overview and Objectives

    Collapse all Expand all

    • This presentation explores research on the link between daily extreme heat events (EHE)—defined as temperatures exceeding the 90th percentile for the month—and pediatric healthcare visits, including urgent care, emergency departments, and hospitalizations for various health issues. Using a case-crossover study design, we analyzed discharge data from the SLU-SSM Health Virtual Data Warehouse, focusing on pediatric patients from birth to 18 years during the warmer months (May to September) from 2017 to 2022 across a Midwestern healthcare network. We found significant associations between extreme heat and conditions such as dehydration, heat-related illnesses, and infections, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children aged one to four, males, and those from low socioeconomic status areas. Our findings underscore the need for health promotion in communities and preschools. Enhancing caregiver awareness of heat risks and implementing policy initiatives can help reduce pediatric exposure. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore these dynamics and develop effective strategies for protecting vulnerable children from extreme heat.

      Learning Objectives:

      1.  Understand the impact of extreme heat exposure (EHE) on pediatric health.
      2. Describe the relationship between daily EHE and pediatric discharge diagnoses across various healthcare settings, including Urgent Care (UC), Emergency Departments (ED), and inpatient (IP) hospitalizations.
      3. Identify specific age groups, sexes, races, and socioeconomic statuses that are more vulnerable to the health effects of EHE.

    • Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17198, for 1 contact hour.

  • Collapse Expand

    Watch Video

  • Collapse Expand

    Evaluation

    In order to receive 1 Nursing Continuing Education (CE) credit, you must complete the course evaluation and receive at least an 80% on the course post-test.

  • Collapse Expand

    Post-Test

    In order to receive 1 Nursing Continuing Education (CE) credit, you must complete the course evaluation and receive at least an 80% on the course post-test.

  • Collapse Expand

    Certificate

  • Collapse Expand

    Presenter Slides

  • Collapse Expand

    Next Steps